Inner: Bridge Rd

An important route and destination in its own right, Bridge Rd is already popular with riders

Tram proposal threatens bike route

5 November 2010

The Department of Transport and Yarra Trams are developing a proposal to alter the tram facilities along Bridge Rd, Richmond between Church and Punt Streets. The primary reason is a track replacement as part of the rolling maintenance program. There is a also a desire to take advantage of these works and potentially trial a Tram Easy Access Stop (TEAS). These are similar to tram platforms already in place in Danks St and Harbour Esplanade where vehicles can move up and over a raised kerb extension when trams are not present. Trials have been built in recent months with varying lengths of ramp and platform tested and assessed for their impact on road users and other stakeholders.

Bridge Rd is a popular commuting route and provides good access to Bridge Rd itself, the CBD and surrounds. Many riders are using Bridge Rd to access the MCG surrounds and head toward St Kilda Rd or the CBD via the Barrack Bridge.

The introduction of this TEAS stop is not necessarilty a threat to bikes in itself, however these style of stops require a wider spread of the tram tracks because the department believes they need to have a wider gap in the centre of the road to accomodate emergency vehicles (something which the Fire trucks don't seem to have an issue with going along Collins St with the standard platform gap) which would have a detrimental affect on bikes in an already narrow road reserve. Whilst this section of Bridge Rd is not wide enough to provide a dediacted lane, the left traffic lane is wide enough to allow cars and bikes to coexist as AM peak traffic is generally congested and vehicles are moving slowly.

We have met with the stakeholders and voiced our concerns. At minimum we believe that advanced signal phasing at Church, Lennox and Hoddle Streets could soften the blow for riders. This could also be done in parallel with pedestrian and tram phases to benefit many. How these stops are designed when parking is present during off peak will aslo have a strong impact on bikes.

VicRoads has formally advised their support for investigating options to provide traffic metering for Bridge Road between Church Street and Punt Road in order to provide a better level of service for trams and bicycles. This investigation is currently underway.

One step forward, Two steps back

Apr 05 Sections of the marked bike lane have been scrubbed off Bridge Rd, these sections have been removed where the total width of the road is less than 4m. It is disappointing to see that these sections of the bike lane have been removed. Bicycle Network Victoria was not consulted prior to the removal of sections of the lane.

In April 2004 Yarra Council commenced works to remove some of the bluestone on the north side of the road and lay new asphalt. This was a big improvement over the broken road pavement that existed.

Council are developing a Streetscape plan to improve the amenity of Bridge Rd for trams, pedestrians and cyclists. Part of the project would involve widening the footpath in the section between Punt Rd and Church St and resurfacing the road.

Our view is any footpath widening should not narrow the kerbside lane to a width of less than 3.8m, which would allow a 1m bike lane and 2.8m vehicle lane to be marked in. Work is due to commence in 2005.