It is a requirement for all new roadways to provide facilities for cyclists, so here's some news regarding the shared use path on the EastLink tollway development from the Communications Director of SEITA:
While the current design is still being finalised, at this stage the plan is to provide a continuous shared use path linking to the following parks and reserves:
- Mullum Mullum Valley, Ringwood Bypass, Schwerkolt Cottage and Eastland to
- Simpsons Park / Heatherdale Reserve Proclamation Park to
- Koomba Park via Dandenong Creek Trail to Wantirna Reserve on to
- Blind Creek / Llewellyn Park Complex on to
- Nortons Park, Shepherds Bush, Drummies Bridge Reserve to
- Jells Park Trail Network and Chesterfield Farm
- Corhanwarrabul wetlands
- Potentially Carribean Gardens and Corhanwarrabul Creek on to
- Mulgrave Reserve / Dandenong Creek and Tirhatuatan Park through to
- Fotheringham Reserve Trail to Mile Creek and Greaves Reserve via Dandenong Creek trail to
- National Watersports Complex, Patterson Lakes open space, Carrum Foreshore or via Ray Dove Reserve, Edithvale Wetland, Seaford Frankston Foreshore and the Port Phillip Bay Trail Network beyond.
SEITA and the project parties are liaising with councils, Bicycle Victoria and local community groups about the final exact route and design.
The primary shared use path is a 3m wide concrete path, while secondary shared use paths vary in width due to integration with existing paths.
As soon as all design details are finalised, a guide to the new path network will be published and available to the public.
At least there will be some positives out of yet another massive tollway development in Melbourne!
It should make for some good rides with linkages across the outer eastern suburbs.