New walkways and pedestrian operated signals will welcome event goers to the Olympic Park precinct from Friday and throughout the busy summer event season.
The much-needed improvements around Richmond Station will improve access and safety for tens of thousands of pedestrians that pass through Punt Road and Olympic Boulevard every time an event is held in the precinct.
A new walkway on the western edge of Punt Road will guide crowds under the rail bridge providing a safer passage for those travelling between Richmond Station and Melbourne’s most iconic sporting and event venues.
New pedestrian signals will operate on Brunton Avenue for passengers using the Richmond north west entrance heading to Punt Road Oval or over to the MCG. Other improvements include larger traffic islands at the Punt Road, Hoddle Street intersection to provide safer spaces for pedestrians to wait whilst crossing.
Artist impressions released today reveal landscaped pedestrian plazas that will surround Richmond station, making travel to and from the station safer and more enjoyable. The finishing touches, to be completed in mid-2019, include native landscaping, bench seating, precinct lighting and new bicycle racks.
Commuter and recreational cyclists will benefit from an enhanced shared use path running alongside Goschs Paddock and dedicated cycle lanes along Olympic Boulevard due for completion in mid-2019.
Construction has been prioritised to ensure better pedestrian access for the Boxing Day Test and Australian Open with all works to temporarily shut down from late December through to the end of January.
Overall, journeys on foot will be safer and quicker so fans can make the most of post and pre-match entertainment options on the bustling Swan Street strip.
The upgrades are part of a plan that will introduce Melbourne’s first Continuous Flow Intersection at Punt Road and Olympic Boulevard. Improvements to the intersection will mean drivers have longer green light time delivering more reliable travel times and shorter queues during peak hours.
The first stage of the Streamlining Hoddle Street project at Johnston Street and the Eastern Freeway is mostly complete, with the second stage to be complete by the middle of 2019.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan
“We’ve delivered the first major pedestrian upgrades to the area since the Punt Road rail bridge was constructed back in the 1960s – in time to cater for the cricket and Australian Open crowds.”
“This is about improving journeys for all sporting fans and event goers whether they travel on foot, on public transport or choose to drive.”
“We’ve made it safer for the millions of people that pass through our city’s premier sporting precinct every year for events and entertainment.”
Quote attributable to Member for Richmond Richard Wynne
“Locals and tourists will benefit from safer passage through busy roads, a better environment at Richmond Station and dedicated cycle lanes.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020