Melbourne Cyclist

Cycling in Melbourne Australia

Main Yarra Trail to close for 2 years

I moved to Melbourne 6 months ago and one of the reasons was Melbourne's network of bike lanes and cycleways. This combined with the lack of hills made it very inviting for someone like me who prefers to ride rather than taking public transport or car if possible. I have been enjoying all of it since then and I love it!
One of the highlights is the Main Yarra Trail, which I use to ride to work every Thursday. There is one short section of it which is currently closed due to roadworks on the adjacent freeway, but a very well signalised detour is in place and I don't really mind the extra 500 m or so, but I'm certainly looking forward to the roadworks being finished and the bike path being open again, as I think this would cut the trip by at least 2 or 3 minutes. The signs state that the path should reopen by March 2011, and I was getting a bit unpatient already when this morning I saw a piece of paper stuck on to the sign. I thought that would be some update on the state of the roadworks, possibly advising that it might take a bit longer than planned. Nothing unusual. But, well... here is the notice, please read carefully.

What are these people thinking? I really don't understand which kind of logic they use. That cycle way is a true freeway for bicycles, and in peak hours you bikes stream to and from the city. Surely it would do more good to upgrade this bikeway so that even more people can use it, rather than closing it to make space for yet one more lane in the freeway? Where are all these cyclists going to go? Are they going to drive instead? In the new lane? So it can get full really quickly, so they need to build yet a new one and so on?
Not to mention the need to "prioritise motorist transportation projects above those of bicycle and public transport", which, what can I say, is just plain wrong, in my humble opinion. But that's what victorians apparently have voted for. Hang on? Didn't they also vote a Green member of Parliament? I don't understand...

Tags: Bike, Main, Trail, Yarra, paths

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Permalink Reply by Andy W on April 9, 2011 at 11:29am

I was caught by this April fools joke too. On Twitter I was typing with much outrage about the Victorian Government taking my bike trail away, but deleted most of the tweets in embarrassment when I realised it was a joke.

http://twitter.com/#!/AndyRoflz/statuses/53719754971680768

Permalink Reply by ChrisS on April 9, 2011 at 12:44pm

Hehehe, I had a subtle bet either way.

http://twitter.com/cfsmtb/statuses/55077761777287168

Permalink Reply by Andy W on April 12, 2011 at 12:20pm

Dear Andrew,

 

Thank you for your email.

 

We apologise for the ongoing disruption to your cycling journey. I can assure you that CityLink shares your concerns regarding the impact of our works on the use of the bicycle path but we will not compromise the safety of pedestrians, cyclists or our workers.

 

By way of background, the works which are being undertaken are required to ensure that the bridge structures on CityLink (much of which was built in the 1960's) have the capacity to carry the additional traffic volumes and freight loads anticipated in the future. The works involve reinforcing the existing structures which necessitates access via scaffold to the underside of the structures.

 

CityLink is committed to finishing the works as soon as possible but a few unexpected delays have arisen during the construction process. The trail was scheduled to reopen in March but unfortunately while works continue that is not possible for safety reasons. At this stage we endeavour to open the Yarra Trail in July, but earlier if at all possible.

 

Once again we apologise for the inconvenience this has caused you.  

 

Please contact us if you have any further queries.

 

Yours Sincerely,

 

Angela

Customer Care

CityLink Melbourne Limited

-----Original Message-----

Hi,

 

Could you please confirm that the Main Yarra Trail will be closed between Glenferrie Rd and Punt Rd after July 2011 for approximately 2 years?

 

Thanks,

 

Andrew

Permalink Reply by Oscar Garrido on April 12, 2011 at 12:28pm
Thanks for clarifying! I'm glad it was a joke.
Permalink Reply by AlexZ on August 4, 2011 at 1:38pm
For irrgeular MYT users (me), or those who may have found alternative routes/hung the bike up, this work is now finished, and the Burnley section reopened.
Permalink Reply by Mark Donnellan on August 4, 2011 at 3:02pm

Trail is open, and has been improved with lighting and will be improved further with line-marking and reflectors.

 

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