Bicycle Network: Metro Routes
East: EastLink Trail
As part of the $2.5 billion EastLink project to link Melbourne's eastern suburbs with Frankston, 36km of new shared paths and 20km of links to existing paths were promised. And now . . . delivered.
Name sought for Eastlink bridge
20 April 2011. The State Government is seeking submissions for a name for the new $6.2M Eastlink Trail bridge over the Maroonda Highway at Ringwood.
Minister for Roads Terry Mulder said he encouraged children and adults alike to host brain-storming sessions and bounce ideas around for a name that is deserving and captures the spirit of Ringwood.
“It would be great to see people discussing name ideas in the street, over dinner and in the classrooms and I look forward to sifting through the entries and getting an insight into what inspires people about the area,” Mr Mulder said.
The bridge is expected to be dubbed with its new name in June this year. Submissions can be emailed to: mseprojects@roads.vic.gov.au
Cyclists get rolling on the new bridge.
2 December 2009 The bridge that connects the EastLink trail across Maroonday Highway is now open to the public.
State Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas was joined by Eastern Metropolitan state Labor MPs Brian Tee and Shaun Leane and Warranwood Primary School students to officially open the 40m-high bridge for walking and cycling.
Mr Pallas said the $6.2 million bridge was “great news” for the thousands of people using the trail each week. “They will benefit from non-stop travel through this area, avoiding the existing signalised pedestrian crossing,” Mr Pallas said.
“We are really pleased the bridge has created such an attractive new entrance to Ringwood. It is sure to leave a lasting impression on both the community and visitors to the area.”
The bridge was expected to be ready to open in October but construction efforts were thwarted three times by windy weather in August. Roads Minister Tim Pallas officially opened the new Maroondah pedestrian footbridge at Ringwood on 13 November
Burwood Highway bridge now open
11 November 2009. The overpass at Burwood Highway is now open to path users. Riders are telling us it saves approximately 4 minutes waiting time and the need to travel via 3 signalised crossings.
Maroondah bridge lift scheduled
12 August 2009. The deck of the new Eastlink Trail bike and pedestrian bridge over the Maroonda Highway in Ringwood will be lifted into place over the weekend. [Postponed: Due to high winds the lift is now scheduled from Friday 28 August to early morning on Monday 31 August.]
The bridge comprises a three metre-wide pathway and main span over the Highway, suspended by cables from a 40m high tower.
Once completed, the $6.2 million structure will benefit cyclists and walkers by eliminating the Highway traffic signal crossing on the 35 kilometre EastLink Trail.
The Highway will be closed to traffic during the operation.
Motorists are encouraged to seek alternative routes such as Canterbury Road or Deep Creek Road. Access to the Ringwood Bypass and EastLink will be maintained throughout the works. Detour routes will be in place and clearly signed for motorists.
The bridge lift is dependant on weather conditions and the closure may be postponed to a later weekend if bad weather is experienced.
EastLink Trail bridges in fits and starts
15 July 2009. Construction of the major bridges along the EastLink Trail have progressed in one project, and gone backwards in another.
The bridge over the Maroondah Highway is showing definite signs of progress, with a 43 metre tower structure installed. The installation of the span, a significant undertaking requiring road closures, is expected by the end of next month.
The other bridge, over the Burwood Highway appears delayed until at least September while sections are repainted.
General Manager of bridge builder Fulton Hogan Bruce Rowell said that once the additional paintwork is undertaken, the company would be in a position to place the bridge over Burwood Highway and to complete landscaping.
“We apologise for the delay in progress, however Fulton Hogan is committed to producing an outstanding bridge that will serve the community for many generations.
“This has required some additional work up front to ensure the end result meets Government and community expectations,” he concluded.
As the photo shows, the paintwork is being undertaken in what could be the world's biggest paint booth.
Burwood Highway bridge due early 2009
13 November 2008 We have recently been made aware of this letter sent out to nearby residents of EastLink who have enquired about the progress of the Burwood Highway Overpass.
Looking for EastLink Trail maps?
12 August 2008. Although paper versions of the EastLink Trail maps are available from the Bicycle Network Victoria office, some of you have been asking where to find the downloadable pdf version.
EastLink bridges still to come
28 July 2008. As many of you have discovered the new Eastlink path is inconveniently cut in places by some rather busy roads.
This has generated a number of complaints to Bicycle Network Victoria and to the Eastlink builders.
But don't despair -- fixes are in the air.
Bridges are planned to take the EastLink path over these highways. Work has started on the Burwood Highway overpath already and the bridge over the Maroondah Highway is on the drawing board.
EastLink path complete
29 June 2008 The EastLink path is now open for riders in the eastern suburbs, and anywhere else, to enjoy.
The final section of path from Parks Rd to Maroondah Hwy through the Mullum Mullum Valley is now open allowing riders to ride from the City to Carrum Downs, connecting more people to the Metropolitan Trail Network.
The offical opening of this section will be in mid July. We will alert riders in the area when the date is confrimed.
The newest section is a challenging ride with gradients exceeding 10 per cent in some spots.
We recommend caution as some elements of the path design have poor sight lines. We have told the Eastlink about these. Riders should also exercise caution as there will be cement dust and other construction detritus around for a while. We wiill all need to monitor how the drainage works as overflows can cause traction loss.
Eastlink Path - how many more sleeps?
The section between Park Rd, the Mullum Mullum Valley and Maroondah Hwy is still to be completed but is shaping up to be completed by the end of the month. The bridges over Maroondah and Burwood Highways may be completed by a later date and in the meantime path users will have the signalised crossings available.
Minister's Press release available here.
08 April 2008 We have checked with the ThiessJohnHolland Construction team to confirm which sections of the EastLink trail are currently open. The following list (and map) are the areas which are currently accessible to pedestrians and cyclists.
- Path from
- Path south of
- There is a small section of path open through Fotheringham and Greaves Reserve in Dandenong.
- There is also a section of existing path open from
All other areas of the path are still closed, despite the fact that they may appear to be complete and open.
The path will not be open in its entirety until EastLink is opened. This date has not yet been announced but we are being told that it is 'several months' ahead of the November deadline.
Dandenong Creek Shared Path Closure
Sep 07 Thiess John Holland have advised that the Dandenong Creek trail between Boronia Rd and Mountain Hwy is open.
Jul 07 Unfortunately, due to the extended wet weather experienced over the past two weeks, construction of the path is behind schedule. While Thiess John Holland are working as quickly as possible, at this point in time, it is not likely that the trail will reopen next Friday 13 July as planned.
They will monitor construction progress over the next week and will advise us next Thursday as to the likelihood of the path being opened on time or not.
Thiess John Holland apologises for any inconvenience caused.
Jun 07 Thiess John Holland have advised that as of June 15 the Koomba Park car park on Boronia Rd (Melway 63 D4/5) and the Dandenong Creek Trail between Mountain Hwy and Boronia Rd will be closed for 3 weeks while the remainder of the new shared path is constructed.
Signage will be posted advising of the closure dates as well as suggested detours for bike riders. Click here (PDF 3MB) to see a copy of the suggested detour.
May 07 Thiess John Holland have advised that the main trail in Koomba Park will not be open until June 18. They apologise for any inconvenience.
May 07 The main trail in Koomba Park (between Mountain Highway and Boronia Road) will be closed to pedestrians and cyclists for the next four weeks. This closure is required to enable construction of new shared use paths as part of the EastLink project.
A detour is in place, however, due to the nature of the surface on the detour track, cyclists are advised to dismount and walk their bikes along the detour path. Cyclists may prefer to seek alternative routes while construction works are taking place.
Providing the weather stays dry Thiess John Holland expect to have the path open by Friday 8 June. They will be making every effort to have it open in time for the Queen's Birthday long weekend.New Path Open
New Path Open
Aug 07 The trail being constructed along the EastLink project is progressing well with some sections in Donvale already open to users. Major works are occuring along most of the route ranging from new bridges over the Dandenong Creek in Rowville to an underpass at the Monash Freeway interchange.
The photos to the right show the three metre wide shared use path adjacent to Schwerkolt Cottage car park off Deep Creek Road which was opened to the public on 14 July.
As other sections of the EastLink Trail are progressively completed, you are invited to hit the trail and enjoy this new recreational asset.
Over the coming months, a path will be constructed from Quarry Road to Park Road incorporating a total of six bridges and several scenic boardwalks within the valley. For more information on the EastLink trails, log on to
Bridge over Blind Creek
Jul 07 We have been advised by ConnectEast (thanks to John a local rider) that a shared use path is to be constructed underneath the new bridge over Blind Creek in the area around Cathies Lane South (Melway 72 D3 & D4). This will connect with the existing path network and will allow path users to cross under EastLink and the new George Street alignment. This will be in addition to the new path which has been constructed along the route of the new George Street / EastLink and which currently provides access to High Street Road.
ConnectEast are intending to produce a detailed shared use path map later this year.
Alignment announced for trail in the Mullum Mullum Valley
Feb 07 EastLink (the Mitcham - Frankston freeway project) has just announced the alignment of a shared user path that will be constructed over the tunneled section of the project. This area is environmentally and socially very sensitive so the process to choose an alignment has been a long and exhaustive one.
Bicycle
The chosen alignment is not the most desirable one for bike riders as it does have some sections of up to 100 metres in length that are steep. It also has one short section that will narrow to 2.4 metres to avoid significant vegetation.
The trail will be made of high quality smooth concrete and the designers continue to work with Bicycle
While a bit hilly, this link links a number of very important trails and will become important for people riding to school, work and the shops. It will also be well used by families and social groups enjoying a pleasant ride in the bushland.
The media release from the project team can be viewed here. Eastlink media release.
Mullum-Mullum Valley
Bicycle Network Victoria is fully supportive of a shared path being constructed over the tunnelled section of the East Link Project.
Bicycle Network Victoria supports the construction of a sealed path of minimum 3m width which will provide good connectivity and safety for riders and all paths users using this and other shared paths along the project's route.
We are also mindful of the need to respect and preserve the significant Mullum-Mullum bushland areas and recently met with the Eastern Coalition for Transport and the Environment (ECTE) to explore path alignments which would have lesser impacts on the significant flora and fauna in the Mullum - Mullum valley.
We believe that formalising a safe, good quality shared use path through this area will encourage more people to use the path (not only cyclists), which will lead to a better awareness and understanding of the significance of the bushland for current and future generations.
We also believe that a formalised path will better preserve the area by discouraging the use of 'unofficial' paths which currently criss-cross the area.
We have recommended to SEITA a path construction company used frequently by Parks Victoria as we believe that good design, careful documentation and well supervised employment of competent construction techniques will ensure that a high quality shared use path can be successfully built, whilst still preserving the significant areas of bushland through this area. We shall continue to work with SEITA and the Connect East Consortium to achieve this.