West: Maribyrnong River Trail - updates
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The trail starts outside Scienceworks in Spotswood (where it intersects with Bay Trail West) and follows the Maribyrnong River north to Brimbank Park in Keilor.
Maribyrnong bank in rehab
5 August 2010. Melbourne Water is rehabilitating the eastern bank of the Maribyrnong River, and as a result riders should take extra care in the vicinity over the next month.
There will be excavators working on the bank alongside Sims Street between Dynon Road and Footscray Road in West Melbourne, and a loader delivering rock from stockpiles to the machines operating on the bank.
Maribyrnong trail users need to take care particularly when trucks are unloading rock, or the loader is using the path and when the excavator is partly located on the path. This will require bike riders to dismount and walk around the back of the machine.
Each machine on site has someone on foot to spot for it. Cyclists will need to be aware of short delays (1 minute) in their daily commute. It is rare to get large numbers of commuters of here, but it only takes one mistake to put someone at risk.
Off peak when there is no work activity, the path will be left clean and fully open. Please let Bicycle Victoria or Melbourne Water know if there are any problems or suggestions to be made.
Not for long closure on the Maribyrnong
27 May 2010. Two busy sections of the Maribyrnong River Trail will be closed for two weeks in June for upgrades.
In Van Ness Avenue, the trail will be closed between Pipemakers Park and the intersection of Van Ness Avenue and Hillside Crescent from Monday 7 June for about two weeks.
Alternative access will be avialable via Van Ness Avenue and Pipemakers Park, or, on the eastern side of the Maribyrnong via Raleigh Road Bridge, Woods Street and Newsom Bridge.
In Raleigh Road, Maribyrnong the trail will be closed between northern and southern sides of the Raleigh Road bridge over the Maribyrnong for about two weeks from Monday 14 June for approximately 2 weeks.
Alternative access via Clyde Street/Raleigh Road intersection.
Maribyrnong path works warning
18 June 2009. Riders on the west path along the Maribyrong River north of Dynon Road should be aware of Melbourne Water riverbank works over the next few weeks.
Signage will be employed upstream and downstream of the works encouraging people to swap to the opposite side of the river.
Bollards with flag tape will be used between the path and the edge of the bank. In the area around the excavator this may extend to the middle of the path.
Riders are asked to slow down and ride with care.
Former Defence site development an opportunity for the Trail
4 May 2009. The State Government has announced the redevelopment of the former Defence site alongside the Maribyrnong River into a new mixed use residential and commercial suburb.
Within 10km of the Melbourne CBD, the redevelopment presents a unique opportunity to link and develop vital bicycle routes in Melbourne's west.
Bicycle Victoria has asked to Planning Minister Justin Madden to seize the opportunity to incorporate key bike infrastructure elements into the project to unlock the potential of the new suburb for intensive bike travel.
The letter to the Minister states:
"First, I ask that you ensure that a riverside path on the south bank of the Maribyrnong from the Afton Street footbridge in the east to the Canning Street road bridge in the west is included in the project.
Second, this redevelopment presents you with your first opportunity to create a new suburb where a high proportion of commuting trips to shops, schools, stations and the CBD can be made by bike. As outlined in the Victorian Cycling Strategy, priority should be given to “network development in areas of high demand and growth, including the inner 10 km of Melbourne.” The Maribyrnong development falls into that category.
It is heartening to note that VicUrban has committed to “providing significant bicycle paths and walkways as part of the development, integrated with and enhancing existing paths and networks.” On top of this commitment, we are asking you to identify a broader network to link the new suburb to its larger neighbourhood.
In our view, the development should be linked to the surrounding area via the following range of routes:
- A connection to Epsom Road and a commuting route to the CBD
- A route along Holmes Road to provide access to public transit at Moonee Ponds Station
- Access to the Steele Creek trail and the growth suburbs and schools beyond via a new footbridge at the creek parklands
- Access to Highpoint Shopping Centre and Maribyrnong Secondary College to the south
- A connection to Sunshine in the west, to access destinations like Victoria University, Sunshine Marketplace, the industrial employers in the area, and the Kororoit Creek path.
These additional connections will contribute to the status of this development as one of the most progressive and unique planning projects in Melbourne.
We ask that you commission a consultant to report how the above-nominated routes and any other similarly valuable connections can be integrated into the Maribyrnong development. This study would identify the bicycle infrastructure that would connect to each destination. Using this document, Councils, VicRoads and other agencies can implement a high-use network based around the new suburb."
The opportunity for forward-thinking planning is clear, and the development of this site will be watched with interest.
Safety problems close bridge over Maribyrnong [now re-opened]
30 June 08 The Newsome Street bike and pedestrian bridge across the Maribyrnong River in Ascot Vale has been closed until further notice.
Although only built in 1995, the laminated wood beams supporting the bridge have deteriorated, raising safety concerns.
The structure is located about 1.5 kilometres south of the Raleigh Road bridge and 1 kilometre north of the Fisher Parade / Farnsworth Avenue Bridge near Flemington Racecource. It crosses from the Riverside Golf Driving Range to the Pipemakers Park.
The bridge is lightly used by bike riders.
Neighboring councils, Maribyrnong and Mooney Valley, will signpost alternative routes.
Chifley Drive Link
March 06 Parks Victoria have recently completed a vital link in the Maribyrnong River Trail. Starting at the Raleigh Road Bridge (Anglers' Tavern, western side of river) you can now ride on the new section all the way around to the Afton Street Bridge.
Footbridge repainting
December 06 The bridge crossing the Maribyrnong River between Medway Golf Course, to the south and the rear of Ahearn Place to the north (Melways 27 F9) is open again after a six month closure for maintenance.
June 06 Melbourne Water is repainting the bridge crossing the Maribyrnong River between the Medway Golf Course to the south, and the rear of Ahern Place to the north (Melways 27 F9).
The bridge will be closed from 29 May 2006 with the work expected to be complete by 1 December 2006.
For more information contact Wayne Charlton (Project Manager) on 03 9235 7253.
Afton St Conservation Park, Aberfeldie
Jun 05 The draft Masterplan by Moonee Valley Council to develop a park on the river (Melway 28 A5) includes a trail through the park between Afton St and the Maribyrnong River Trail at the north end of the park. Initial plans did not include allowances for cyclists to ride through the park.
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