Yarra Ranges Council is continuing to advocate for the reinstatement of a pedestrian bridge in McMahons Creek, due to increasing community concerns over a severe lack of pedestrian facilities in the area.
The removal of the previous pedestrian bridge by VicRoads (now Department of Transport) in July 2017 has meant that no path exists on Woods Point Road over McMahons Creek for pedestrians.
The road is now shared by trucks, buses and other motorists, putting pedestrians at risk who must walk along a narrow road shoulder to cross McMahons Creek.
O’Shannassy Ward Councillor, Jim Child, says that Council will continue to request for the reinstatement of the pedestrian bridge amid the safety concerns.
“It’s been three years, and this is an accident waiting to happen,” Cr Child said.
“The community continues to raise their concerns with the pedestrian safety issues on Woods Point Road, so we’ve written again to the Department of Transport advocating for the reinstatement of the bridge.
“To this point the Department is yet to prioritise the project for funding, which would come in at a cost of around $200,000. “We think this is a modest amount given the real safety concerns.”
Council moved a motion at this week’s meeting to again write to the Department of Transport and relevant Ministers seeking urgent action on the reinstatement of the pedestrian bridge.
