North: Merri Creek Trail
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- Merri Creek
The Merri Creek Trail commences at Dights Falls where it joins the Main Yarra Trail (Melway 44 F3) and follows the Merri Creek to Moomba Park where it joins the Western Ring Rd path (Melway 7 J11). It is approximately 25km in length.
Merri Creek Trail, Clifton Hill diversions
August 2008 Diversion of the Merri Creek Trail is underway as part of the multi-million Clifton Hill rail project. The diversion will be in place for at least six months until early 2009.
This involves the duplication of the rail infrastructure, including construction of a new rail bridge over Merri Creek to improve services on the Epping and Hurstbridge lines.
Download the map of the diversions.
Currently, the single track bridge between Clifton Hill and Westgarth railway stations causes a bottleneck in the rail network, particularly during peak periods. The project will also involve the upgrade of four passive pedestrian crossings to automated gates and audible warnings.
The Trail will be closed between Ross Street, Northcote and Rushall Station to allow for the construction of the bridge. Bicyle Victoria has been consulted on the plans.
There are two suggested routes.
Northern Route:
The northern route encourages pedestrians and cyclists to stay on Westgarth Street for as long as possible, utilising existing traffic signals at High Street and minimising traffic in local streets.
This route should suit people travelling east-west through the area (such as commuter cyclists skirting the southern edge of Northcote Hill). It also provides a reasonably direct connection between Rushall Station and Ross Street for cyclists travelling along the Merri Creek.
Southern Route:
The southern route follows the existing on road bike lanes in Ramsden Street/North Terrace, crosses Hoddle Street and Queens Parade at existing traffic lights, continues along the bike lane in Michael Street and then Falconer Street to rejoin the Merri Creek Trail at Rushall Station.
The southern bypass route avoids heavily trafficked sections of Queens Parade and Hoddle
Street. The local roads that make up the route already provide on road connections between the
residential neighbourhoods of Clifton Hill and North Fitzroy.
The on road paths also act as a feeder route to Merri Creek at Rushall Station, and to the Main Yarra Trail near the eastern end of Ramsden Street/Field Street.
The recommended diversion routes have been devised to:
- Minimise the inconvenience caused to pedestrians and cyclists travelling through the area;
- Identify wherever possible direct routes that avoid significant gradients, road crossings or complex changes in route direction;
- Minimise the need to alter the main bypass routes for the duration of the project;
- Provide trail users with early warning of the diversion, and information about the alternative routes available to them, including how to gain access to the local area, or ways to bypass it completely; and
- Make use of the existing local and district road and path network, and designated bike lanes.
For a detailed Q&A on the Trail diversion click here.
These diversions have been approved by both Darebin and Yarra City Councils, as well as VicRoads. The work will be undertaken by the John Holland Group.
Merri Creek Path missing link
July 08 One of the busiest sections of the Merri Ck Path, near the Rushall Station and St Georges Rd precinct, is currently being reviewed by stakeholders. Bicycle Victoria recently met with Darebin and Yarra City Councils to discuss this vital section of path and the proposed opportunities. The map (below) lays out the elements of the challenge.
There is an opportunity to better link the St. Georges Rd, Merri CK and Capital City Trails by incorporating a few short, relatively easy sections of path and also a bridge utilising the existing pipe bridge (refer to map, shown in orange).
The bridge is a Melbourne Water asset and was identified as a high priority in the recent Merri Ck Path Review.
This precinct was identified as a key recommendation in the Eddington Report and already attracts a large number of riders through this corridor due to geographical constraints.
The short section of path indicated in red, green and pale blue on map (right) would link up the key movements of riders and help more people to get on their bikes. The path indicated by the pale blue line in particular would solve the missing link of the Merri CK Path which is currentlly a convolunted on road section.
Merri Creek Bridges Closed
Nov 07 The City of Darebin have just advised (Wed Nov 21) that the following bridges have been closed on the Merri Creek Trail due to flood risks:
- Ross St., Northcote
- Walker St., Northcote
- Hammersley, Reservoir
- Broadhurst Ave., Reservoir
If you have any queries or information please call the City of Darebin.
May 07 For your information the following Merri Creek shared trail bridges have been closed with indicative parawebbing across approaching paths for the weekend 19 & 20 May due to dangerous flood and water levels and rain forecasts:
Hamersley Crt, Reservoir/Moomba Park, Fawkner
Broadhurst Ave, Reservoir/Hare St, Fawkner
Creek Pde, Northcote/Coulson Reserve, Clifton Hill
The Parade, Northcote/Knotts Reserve, Clifton Hill
Their status will be inspected on Monday morning.
If you have any queries or information please call the relevant council.