Cyclists set to get bike path upgrade in Melbourne's west
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About 10 kilometres of bike and pedestrian paths in Melbourne's inner west will be built or upgraded as part of the Western Distributor road project.
Roads Minister Luke Donnellan announced draft plans for the upgrades, which included laying 3.5km of off-road paths to finish the "missing link" on the Federation Trail through the city's west.
"This is pretty much going to provide the community with the opportunity to ride all the way from Werribee through [to] the inner-city and into the city itself," he said.
He said proposed upgrades of elevated paths along Footscray Road would help separate cyclists from trucks entering the port.
Those grade separations have been planned for Dock Link Road, Appleton Deck Road and McKenzie Road.
Signalised intersections were also planned for where the Hobson Bay bike trail meets Hyde Street.
"We want to get more people out of their cars and become healthier and enjoy their lives," Mr Donnellan said.
Craig Richards from the Bike Network said thousands of people commute by bike from the western suburbs into the city.
"They'll no longer have to ride the gauntlet," he said.
"So many people want to ride a bike and they're looking for separation, particularly from heavy vehicles, and this is an opportunity to make it happen."
The pedestrian bridge at the edge of the West Gate Freeway will be knocked down for a new one with better disability access.
Williamstown MP Wade Noonan said the missing link on the Federation Trail would also help recreational riders.
"It's a great announcement. Families particularly with young kids will be able to use these paths," he said.
Topics: states-and-territories, urban-development-and-planning, vic, melbourne-3000
