Local residents and cycling groups have helped to shape the Western Distributor's almost 10 kilometres of new and improved cycling and pedestrian paths.
Minister for Roads Luke Donnellan announced today that the Western Distributor will complete the “missing link” of the Federation Trail between Williamstown Road and Hyde Street building 3.5 kilometres of upgrades along this important route.
The Federation Trail has long been identified as a strategic cycling corridor providing an accessible travel route for cyclists travelling to the city and beyond.
Nearly one kilometre of new fully separated cycling and walking paths has been included in the Reference Design for the Western Distributor linking Somerville Road/Whitehall Street intersections to the Maribyrnong River, and the pedestrian crossing over the West Gate Freeway will be rebuilt to make the paths more accessible to the community.
Cyclists will be separated from Footscray Road intersections by elevating the shared path at MacKenzie Road, Dock Link Road and Appleton Dock Road so cyclists do not need to cross the intersections.
A large number of cyclists will be able to use new connections between the Dynon Road shared path and Capital City Trail, Moonee Ponds Creek Trail and Spencer Street with the addition of two new dedicated crossings. The Capital City Trail crossing at Footscray Road will also be upgraded.
Areas where improvements to the cycling and footpath network could be made were a direct result of the extensive consultation undertaken on the project.
The upgrades will mean the bicycle and shared user path network in the inner west will be safer and more efficient, with cyclists having better connections from the outer west all the way to the CBD.
The Western Distributor is currently out to tender and the preparation of an Environment Effects Statement has commenced. The contract will be signed by late 2017 with construction to start soon after.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Roads Luke Donnellan
“The local community and cycling community told us that they wanted to fix the gaps in the cycling network and that’s what we’re doing.”
“We’re making it easier and safer for pedestrians and cyclists to get around by creating new links and separating paths from general traffic.”
Quotes attributable to the Member for Williamstown Wade Noonan
“This will improve safety and provide a more direct travel route for cyclists travelling from the inner West to the city and beyond.”
Quotes attributable to the Member for Footscray Marsha Thomson
“It is fantastic we are able to build the long awaited missing link in the Federation Trail improving such an important asset to the inner west.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020