East: Yarra Trail at Chandler Highway

Getting the Main Yarra Trail to cross or go under the Chandler Highway is a difficult project. To stay up with the latest click on email me updates to the right.

Chandler Bridge options proposed

October 2010. VicRoads has proposed four options to resolve traffic congestion, bike connections and safety concerns at this Yarra River crossing.

The four options are available here.

Of the four options Bicycle Network Victoria believes Option 4 delivers the best outcome for riders, however, all of the options totally ignore the highest volume rider movement i.e. the Main Yarra Trail east-west flow of path users.

Path users are currently presented with the choice of scaling the 71 steps up or down on the west of the Bridge. The alternate is to come up on the east side adjacent to the Guide Dogs property.

As all four options include signalising the Chandler/Boulevard intersection the rider desire line will most likely be drawn to taking advantage of the signals. This in turn will have an affect on the traffic operation of Chandler Highway as regular rider arrivals will call up the signals, thus locking the intersection down to allow path users to cross east-west.

Bicycle Network Victoria believes the time has come for the underpass solution (refer below) to be included in the scope of this project to not only follow through on the mainstreaming commitment made by VicRoads and provide for bikes, but to also ensure that the core aim of the project, to relieve congestion, is maintained.

Other elements that further details are required on are:

Degree of separation
continued linkages, particularly on the northern side towards Heidelberg Road
Workable transitions between these linkages and the separated on bridge proposed facilities

You can show your support and give feedback to the VicRoads team overseeing the proposal.

Underpass needed to unblock Main Yarra Trail

July 2010 A solution to this major barrier is needed to allow walkers and riders to avoid the dangerous Chandler Highway Crossing. Riders are currently being forced to scale the 70 steps up to the Boulevard; something many recreational riders and families will struggle with. Peak hour traffic is also currently being held up as riders are being forced to use the signalised crossing near the Guide Dogs' Centre.

A concept for an underpass linking the east side and west sides of the path through an area not of significant vegetation is feasible. This area is basically comprising fill-soil forthe bridge abuttments. A recent ParksVic study revealed this area is not of significance.

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View MYT - Chandler Steps in a larger map

Trail closed without consultation.

Jun 07 The rough trail that bypasses the steps on the Main Yarra Trail near the Chandler Highway has been permanently closed by Parks Victoria. This is extremely disappointing as there is now no direct and accessible way for riders to get across or under the Chandler Highway.

Bicycle Network Victoria was made aware earlier this year that Parks Victoria intended to close the bypass trail. We informed Parks Victoria that an alternative would need to be found before the bypass trail could be closed. To us it is obvious that riders will either form a new trail to bypass the steps or risk the busy and dangerous crossing of Chandler Highway.

It is very disappointing that Parks Victoria closed the trail without informing or consulting bike riders. We have expressed our frustration to Parks Victoria and are waiting for a reply.

The way forward is to identify a feasible alternative solution, which needs to be implemented as soon as possible. The current situation of pushing riders to the steps or across Chandler Highway is unacceptable and dangerous.

One short term solution could be to move the existing pedestrian traffic lights to where riders are currently risking crossing at the busy intersection of Chandler Highway and Kew Boulevard. In the long term a suitable trail needs to be built underneath the Chandler Highway that removes the need for the current steep staircase on the trail.

Yarra Bend Park (Parks Victoria)

Jun 06 The design process is well underway for a new the alignment of the trail that will by-pass the existing steps and dangerous windy steep sections of trail. Bicycle Network Victoria is happy with the concept design that has been proposed by the project team. More detailed design works are now being undertaken.

Burke Rd to Yarra Bend Park (City of Boroondara)

Dec 05 A new high quality trail has been constructed linking the Main Yarra Trail to the eastern side of the Chandler Highway. The new trail runs along side the Guide Dogs Victoria property. Congratulations to Boroondara BUG who worked with the council in designing the new section of trail. Unfortunately though, users of the main yarra Trail still have to negotiate a steep staircase to the west of the Chandler Highway in Yarra Bend Park (see below). The section of trail between Willow Grove and Belford Road have also been greatly improved.

Oct 05 Design funding announced. After Bicycle Network Victoria members wrote over 500 letters earlier this year, Minister Thwaites has announced a new fund for the Metropolitan Trail Network (MTN). Funding for the MTN now meets the state government’s 2002 election promise; however more money will be needed to fund critical projects.

The new fund will provide $25,000 towards the design of a new alignment of the Main Yarra Trail in Yarra Bend Park, as an alternative to steps to the west of the Chandler Highway.While the funding of the design is a commendable step, current government funding will not be able to build this project in the near future. A commitment of significant additional funding will be required within the next year. We believe that increasing the Metropolitan Trail Network annual funding to five million dollars could deliver this and other important projects on the trail network.

May 05 Bicycle Network Victoria met on site with Boroondara BUG and Parks Victoria to see how the steps at Chandler Hwy can be eliminated and the connection to the pipe bridge over the Yarra River be improved.

It was agreed at the site meeting that a gentler sloped ramps should be installed that comes out at the Boulevard further up the hill. The existing temporary ramp is a former goat track which does not follow the best alignment.

Formalising and sealing an existing dirt track leading from the Boulevard down to the pipeline bridge would eliminate the climb to the top of the hill and the switchback path down to the pipe bridge.

The park is managed by Parks Victoria on behalf of the Yarra Bend Park Trust. Park rangers have prepared a brief for the design of works from Chandler Hwy to the pipeline bridge.

For more see Boroondara BUG website.

Bicycle Network Victoria also suggested line marking to help people follow the Main Yarra Trail through Yarra Bend Park.