The new bike and pedestrian bridge on the Federation Trail at Laverton North is now soaring over Dohertys Road as workers race to welcome the first riders on the completed structure around the middle of the year.
The 140 metre span will remove the crude ground level crossing, increasing the safety and attractiveness of the trail to riders.
The project also improves local access for recreational riders and commuters with connections to local path networks.
The structure is one of three overpasses being installed along the trail as part of the State Government $1.8b Western Roads Upgrade.
The other two are already underway: a 220 metres bridge at Palmers Road and Sayers Road intersection in Williams Landing, and an overpass of Leakes Road near Interchange Drive, Truganina.
The Dohertys Road bridge soars six metres above Dohertys Road so as to be clear of over-height freight loads.
The 4 metre-wide contemporary design bridge is constructed from coloured steel and concrete will be further complemented by new landscaping.
The trail remains open during construction, with minor detours around the work sites.
Following construction of the bridges a 20 year contract will be in place for general maintenance activities on the Federation Trail, including pavement rectification and rubbish and graffiti removal.
Riders will also benefit from more than 50 kilometres of shared user paths being built or upgraded alongside the arterial roads being widened as part of the broader Western Roads Upgrade.
Separately, another program is underway to incrementally ‘green’ the route with trees and shrubs, and community facilities.
The developments should see more people making use of the 23 kilometre trail which follows the heritage-listed Main Outfall Sewer from Brooklyn to Werribee.
Especially once the trail is completely connected through to inner Melbourne, a task being undertaken as part of there West Gate gunnel Project.
New bridge begins to soar