Smart thinking has turned a storm water project in Brighton into an opportunity for a street upgrade and a new bike facility.
The Durrant Street precinct had poor drainage and was subject to flooding during storm events.
Bayside City seized the opportunity to make other improvements along with the drainage works, including new bike lanes.
The works, now underway from Marion Street to Hampton Street, will help to reduce localised flooding, improve the local road and cycling network plus improve traffic flow and safety of residents and other road users.
The upgrade includes road reconstruction, re-positioning drainage channels, adding new bike lanes and forming tree pits to provide conditions for healthier street trees.
The works will be delivered in stages for different sections of Durrant Street between Marion and Hampton Street, until November. This will assist to minimise disruption and allow continued use of Durrant Street for residents.
Some traffic disruption will occur and traffic controllers will be on hand to manage lane closures when necessary.
The works are part of council’s $8.5 million program of upgrades for roads, footpaths and cycling paths in 2018/19.
The existing street trees close to the drainage channel have adversely affected the surrounding road and drainage infrastructure. The tree roots have lifted the road pavement, kerbs and channels, which in turn has resulted in localised water ponding and in some locations, flooding of properties.
Works involves road reconstruction and re-positioning drainage channels, adding new bike lanes and forming tree pits to provide conditions for healthier street trees.
The works will also enable the buses to fully pull up to the kerb, improving traffic movement through the street.