Bicycle Network: Metro Routes
North: Merri Creek Trail
The Merri Creek Trail commences at Dights Falls where it joins the Main Yarra Trail (Melway 44 F3) and follows the Merri Creek to Moomba Park where it joins the Western Ring Rd path (Melway 7 J11). It is approximately 25km in length.
Merri under Blyth we go
6 September 2012. The new and improved underpass has been completed and opened on the Merri Creek Path, under Blyth Street in East Brunswick.
Previously, the path dipped down to near water level presenting a steep slope with a corner at the bottom, a narrow path (1.7 m) and poor sight lines.
The new boardwalk path is 60 m long and at least 3.5 m wide, with a rest seat located on the southern end. This new path has been constructed at a higher grade, with a gentle gradient and greatly improved the path alignment and width.
The path is also much less prone to flooding. Recycled plastic decking has been used which is less slippery than wood and allows a less substantial supporting structure.
Please show your appreciation to Moreland City Council. Say thank you. (E-mail contacts for Moreland Mayor and ward Councillors provided).
| Blyth Street Underpass - Before |
Blyth Street Underpass - After |
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- Narrow 1.7 m path |
- Wide 3.5 m path |
Connection near Roseneath Bridge complete
August 2012 Parks Victoria have completed the trail upgrade in Yarra Bend Park which connects the Main Yarra Trail to the start of the Merri Creek Trail at the Roseneath St Bridge.
The trail upgrade was designed and installed for a total cost of $137,000.
Merri Creek boardwalk replacement
20 June 2012 The rebuilt elevated section of the Merri Creek trail in East Brunswick, between Albert Street and the Merri Park footbridge, is now open. It features a wide path surface made of recycled plastic planks and a much decreased gradient and wider path.
The nearby underpass beneath Arthurton Road (near Ceres) is still under construction.
5 May 2011. Moreland City will replace the Merri Creek Boardwalk between Sumner Park and Kirkdale Reserve, Brunswick, with work starting this month and continuing until July.
These works will reduce the gradient of the boardwalk, making it usable for a wider range of cyclists and accessible for wheelchair users.
The boardwalk will also be widened to 3m, increasing the capacity of the path and enabling safer passing movements.
The level of the boardwalk and sections of nearby path will be lifted out of the 1 in 10 year flood zone which will reducing flooding and path closures.
Riders will detour via King and Alister Streets during the construction. The detour will be signed.
Dights Falls Reconstruction Works
November 2010 Over Summer Melbourne Water Alliance will be undertaking works at Dights Falls. There will be some minor disruptions to the Merri / Yarra Trail but it will remain open. SEE details at: East: Yarra Trail.
[Updated] Works complete
13 September 2010. Work to repair the Murray Road bridge that has shut down the Merri Creek Trail in Coburg is complete and successful. As of last Wednesday, the Trail has been re-opened and full access restored.
Bridge fix starts; trail stays shut
5 August 2010. Repairs to the damaged bluestone bridge over Murray Road are underway, but the Merri Creek trail will remain closed despite suggestions to the contrary.
Work started on Monday, 2 August and is expected to take until early September to complete. Despite their early intention to keep the Merri Creek Trail open in the lead up to and during reconstruction, VicRoads and their bridge contractor have decided to close the trail under Murray Road and install temporary diversions.
Safety of trail users is the stated reason, with the possibility that debris from the bridge would fall on the trail below.
Click here to view the detours in place from Monday. VicRoads expects trail users to divert 180 metres to the west of the Merri Creek to cross at the signals provided there. Crossings have not been provided along the Merri Creek alignment at the bridge.
The footpaths that trail users are expected to use to access the signalised crossing is not designated as a shared path. While this will considerably inconvenience all users while works are conducted over the next month, everyone is encouraged to take care and do the best you can while the diversions are in place.
Damaged bridge keeps trail closed
20 July 2010. The car v. bridge bingle that damaged the heritage stone Murray Road bridge in Coburg in May remains a problem for Merri Creek Trail users.
The entirety of the situation was not clearly communicated at the time of the previous update in late May.
The situation is as follows:
- The Merri Creek Trail underneath the Murray Road Bridge was closed and remains so
- Works to repair the bridge have only just begun, with three weeks of off-site work and an additional three weeks of on-site bridge repair to come
- VicRoads is considering how to open the Merri Creek Trail while works are underway, but are less optimistic about this possibility than previously intended
- VicRoads is considering how it can improve temporary diversions over the next six weeks to make it easier for trail users to cross Murray Rd.
This page will be updated as more information about progress on repairing the bridge and improving the closure of the Trail is communicated.
Car gives stone bridge the blues
27 May 2010. The historic bluestone wall at the Murray Road Bridge over the Merri Creek Trail is to undergo repairs after a car crashed into the structure, sending bluestone on the the path below.
The crash littered the path with bluestone detritus, which was quickly cleaned up. However, VicRoads engineers have assessed the damage to the bridge and determined that it needs further structural work.
From next week scaffolding will appear on site to allow work on the bluestone wall. The scaffolding will not close the Trail. Trail users will be able to access the Trail as usual, but should be expect to encounter the scaffolding and so take due care.
Work is expected to take up to four weeks.
Rushall to Fairfield Park section re-opens
8 September 2009. The section of the Merri Creek path linking the Rushall station precinct to Fairfield Park under the railway line and Heidelberg Road has re-opened following redevelopment.
The path has been closed for a year because of the Clifton Hill rail duplication project. The opening restores a popular and convenient link to the main Yarra Trail.
The renovated trail section is generally impressive although there are concerns with the design of some elements.
Merri Creek Path and Footbridge Closure until June 2009
19 February 2009 Update: Melbourne Water has advised that diversions for cyclists will be in place on the Merri Creek shared path between Ida and Goleen streets, Coburg North from this Friday, February 20 2009. This is due to works in the area to install a new water main.
This is necessary for public safety while trees and other vegetation are removed from the access ramps, and a new water main is laid along McMahons Road, across the Merri Creek and along Bakers Road.
The nearest alternative crossing is at Carr Street. The access ramps leading to the bridge and shared path will be improved and rebuilt to a better standard. Path users will be temporarily diverted around the works via local streets and then back to the shared path.
People travelling north will leave the path at Ida Street; turn right at Knight to Bakers, left at Bakers Road to Gould and return to the Merri Creek at Goleen Street.
Those travelling south will leave the path at Goleen Street, turn left at Gould, right at Knight and return to the shared path at Ida Street.
The shared path will be reopened out of working hours.
For further information please call Melbourne Water on 1800 027 517.
Merri Creek Trail, Clifton Hill diversions
August 2008 Diversion of the Merri Creek Trail is underway as part of the multi-million Clifton Hill rail project. The diversion will be in place for at least six months until early 2009.
This involves the duplication of the rail infrastructure, including construction of a new rail bridge over Merri Creek to improve services on the Epping and Hurstbridge lines.
Download the map of the diversions.
Currently, the single track bridge between Clifton Hill and Westgarth railway stations causes a bottleneck in the rail network, particularly during peak periods. The project will also involve the upgrade of four passive pedestrian crossings to automated gates and audible warnings.
The Trail will be closed between Ross Street, Northcote and Rushall Station to allow for the construction of the bridge. Bicyle Victoria has been consulted on the plans.
There are two suggested routes.
Northern Route:
The northern route encourages pedestrians and cyclists to stay on Westgarth Street for as long as possible, utilising existing traffic signals at High Street and minimising traffic in local streets.
This route should suit people travelling east-west through the area (such as commuter cyclists skirting the southern edge of Northcote Hill). It also provides a reasonably direct connection between Rushall Station and Ross Street for cyclists travelling along the Merri Creek.
Southern Route:
The southern route follows the existing on road bike lanes in Ramsden Street/North Terrace, crosses Hoddle Street and Queens Parade at existing traffic lights, continues along the bike lane in Michael Street and then Falconer Street to rejoin the Merri Creek Trail at Rushall Station.
The southern bypass route avoids heavily trafficked sections of Queens Parade and Hoddle
Street. The local roads that make up the route already provide on road connections between the
residential neighbourhoods of Clifton Hill and North Fitzroy.
The on road paths also act as a feeder route to Merri Creek at Rushall Station, and to the Main Yarra Trail near the eastern end of Ramsden Street/Field Street.
The recommended diversion routes have been devised to:
- Minimise the inconvenience caused to pedestrians and cyclists travelling through the area;
- Identify wherever possible direct routes that avoid significant gradients, road crossings or complex changes in route direction;
- Minimise the need to alter the main bypass routes for the duration of the project;
- Provide trail users with early warning of the diversion, and information about the alternative routes available to them, including how to gain access to the local area, or ways to bypass it completely; and
- Make use of the existing local and district road and path network, and designated bike lanes.
For a detailed Q&A on the Trail diversion click here.
These diversions have been approved by both Darebin and Yarra City Councils, as well as VicRoads. The work will be undertaken by the John Holland Group.
Merri Creek Path missing link
July 08 One of the busiest sections of the Merri Ck Path, near the Rushall Station and St Georges Rd precinct, is currently being reviewed by stakeholders. Bicycle Network Victoria recently met with Darebin and Yarra City Councils to discuss this vital section of path and the proposed opportunities. The map (below) lays out the elements of the challenge.
There is an opportunity to better link the St. Georges Rd, Merri CK and Capital City Trails by incorporating a few short, relatively easy sections of path and also a bridge utilising the existing pipe bridge (refer to map, shown in orange).
The bridge is a Melbourne Water asset and was identified as a high priority in the recent Merri Ck Path Review.
This precinct was identified as a key recommendation in the Eddington Report and already attracts a large number of riders through this corridor due to geographical constraints.
The short section of path indicated in red, green and pale blue on map (right) would link up the key movements of riders and help more people to get on their bikes. The path indicated by the pale blue line in particular would solve the missing link of the Merri CK Path which is currentlly a convolunted on road section.
Merri Creek Bridges Closed
Nov 07 The City of Darebin have just advised (Wed Nov 21) that the following bridges have been closed on the Merri Creek Trail due to flood risks:
- Ross St., Northcote
- Walker St., Northcote
- Hammersley, Reservoir
- Broadhurst Ave., Reservoir
If you have any queries or information please call the City of Darebin.
May 07 For your information the following Merri Creek shared trail bridges have been closed with indicative parawebbing across approaching paths for the weekend 19 & 20 May due to dangerous flood and water levels and rain forecasts:
Hamersley Crt, Reservoir/Moomba Park, Fawkner
Broadhurst Ave, Reservoir/Hare St, Fawkner
Creek Pde, Northcote/Coulson Reserve, Clifton Hill
The Parade, Northcote/Knotts Reserve, Clifton Hill
Their status will be inspected on Monday morning.
If you have any queries or information please call the relevant council.