Bicycle Network: Metro Routes

30 Jan 2013 Works continue along the M80 Ring Road Path (or Northern Ring Road path). For the latest on path closures and detours see the VicRoads site.

Ring Road trail improvements

 2 April 2012. VicRoads has launched a maintenance program along the M80 Ring Road Trail to improve the safety and amenity of the path for pedestrians and bike riders.

The work is expected to be complete by June 2012.

Maintenance works will involve:

• Clearing of vegetation from along the path
• Line marking at various locations such as at sharp bends to keep path users to the correct side
• Installation of advisory signs to highlight change in path conditions, such as steep inclines, narrow path and sharp bends.

Access to the trail will be maintained throughout the program, although riders should be alert to any changed conditions while workers are on-site.

Closure deferred for holidays

13 December 2011. The closure of the trail along the Ring Road from Merlynston Creek to Sydney Road has been postponed until early 2012 to allow the path to be used over the Christmas break.

Pedestrians will follow a detour route via Camp Road and cyclists will be detoured through the local streets in Glenroy.

The project team has worked closely with Moreland City Council to improve path conditions on a section of the detour on Box Forest Road. The footpath at the eastern end of Box Forest Road has been upgraded to allow for a safer journey for path users.

The shared user path between Merlynston Creek and Sydney Road will be closed in the New Year for approximately eight months as widening works take place on the M80 Ring Road Altona bound.

The detour will be clearly signed with maps and reflector tape marking the route. Stakeholders will be notified of the exact date of the closure closer to the time.

Merlynston Creek Bridge

The trail under Merlynston Creek bridge that connects Glenroy residents to Jack Roper Reserve in Broadmeadows has reopened.

The site compound at Jack Roper Reserve remains, with restricted vehicle access to the shared user path. Minor maintenance works still need to be done around the Merlynston Creek area.

Stakeholders will be notified in advance should vehicle access be required on the SUP. Spotters will be on site to watch out for path users.

Closure between Sydney Road and Kathryn Street pedestrian bridge.

Upgrade works are due to start on the south eastern side of the M80 Ring Road / Sydney Road interchange, Fawkner.

To ensure the safety of path users during construction works, a small section of the shared user path between Sydney Road and Kathryn Street pedestrian bridge will be temporarily closed for a six month period.

A short detour route will be available via Hedley Street and Eva Court. Access to the pedestrian bridge will still be available. Details are currently being finalised with Moreland Council and stakeholders will notified when a date for the closure has been confirmed.

Ring Road path closed [postponed until September]

30 June 2010. The Western Ring Road Bike Path between Merlynston Creek and Sydney Road in Glenroy will be closed for six months while work continues on widening the Freeway.

A rather lengthy and convoluted detour has been arranged, with key sections of the detour route marked out with painted, dashed lines.

Riders will turn off at the Merlynston Creek Retarding Basin, along Morley St – Evell St – Liston Rd - Box Forest Rd – Sages Rd - Wells Crt rail crossing at Gowrie Station – cross Sydney Rd – then along Jukes Rd – to the Merri Creek Trail.

Due to the extent of the required works, the detour will be in place for approximately 6 - 8 months with the aim of opening it up again in December 2011.

See detour map. It would be wise for travellers to print this out and take a copy with them.

Ring Road detour at Airport West - [extended]

30 May 2011. Because of weather delays contractors working on the Western Ring Road upgrade have extended the weekday closure of the bike path at Melrose Drive for another month.

7 April 2011. The Western Ring Road path will be closed for several weeks at Airport West as part of the M80 upgrade.

The section between Airport Drive, Tullamarine and Melrose Drive will be closed on weekdays (open at weekends) from Monday 11 April until the end of May.

Pedestrians and cyclists are advised to detour through local streets to re-join the shared user path network (see detour map).

Deer Park Wellness Trail opens

28 July 2009. Mental health and art are a feature of the new 9km walking and cycling path running beside the Deer Park Bypass between Sunshine West and Caroline Springs.

The Trail has six rest stops featuring 30 mosaic artworks created by patients from Melbourne Health’s Adult Mental Health Rehabilitation Unit at Sunshine Hospital.

Riders travelling the Trail can pause at the seating stops and take in the views, the environment and the art.

Each mosaic panels represents an image reflective of the artist’s life experience. Next to each mosaic is the artist's message about how to keep well and happy.

According to the designers, seeing their art on permanent display for the enjoyment of others adds to the positive experience for patients living with mental illness.

The Wellness Trail was developed in a partnership between VicRoads, Leighton Contractors, NorthWestern Mental Health and creative arts therapist Carolyn Noel.

Western Ring Road path detour

09 September 2008 The Deer Park Bypass project will result in the temporary closure and re-routing of the bike path.

The last phase of the works at Fitzgerald Rd/Western Ring Rd interchange is now underway, involving drainage and earthworks, the placing of bridge beams over the Western Ring Rd, installation of noise walls and landscaping.

This will involve temporarily closing and re-routing the bike path (detour along The Avenue to Sunrise Dr) to enable construction of the noise wall foundations.

Leighton and VicRoads state that every effort is being made to minimise impact.

Get the map of the diversion here:

Upgrade of Path at Fitzgerald Road

Jul 07 VicRoads have advised that a temporary detour will be in place on the Western Ring Road near Fitzgerald Rd (Mel Ref 39 H3) till the end of October 2007.

The detour will be off road with road crossings on The Avenue and Fitzgerald Rd.

Bicycle Network Victoria have requested that VicRoads provide an alternate crossing point on The Avenue that is closer to Fitzgerald Rd as it's unlikely that riders will use the current crossing point (PDF 257KB).