The removal of the level crossing at Dublin Road on the Lilydale line in Ringwood East has opened up the next opportunity to start the build-out of the planned bike trail network connecting Melbourne’s suburbs.
The rail alignment is the intended route of a major strategic cycling corridor (SCC) that links from Ringwood to Croydon and then to Mooroolbark and Lilydale, where it joins the rail trails out to the Yarra Valley.
Some sections are already in place, including from Mooroolbark to Lilydale, and some sections of recreation trail that will need upgrading.
But other sections, although already into the planning process, have been unable to move forward until a number of proposed level crossings projects revealed their solutions at major road crossings.
Dublin Road, along with a new Ringwood East station, is the perfect opportunity for the engineers to ensure that plans for trains, roads and bike routes are fully integrated, with first class travel experiences for all modes.
The government has announced that it will place the rail tracks in a 650-metre-long trench under Dublin Road.
Few details are available at this stage, but public consultation is underway here.
The concept designs apparently include a short, shared use path along the rail corridor south of the new Ringwood East Station to connect to the existing shared use path west of Dublin Road alongside Railway Avenue.
The official strategic cycling corridor plans show the Railway Avenue trail starting from Ringwood on the south side of the tracks and then swapping over to the north side and continuing along Patterson St, making its way to Cheong St and then Moralla Ave and Wicklow Ave to Croydon Station.
What we expect Level Crossings to be working on is how it is going to include the trail crossing south to north-side, including the crossing of Dublin Road, and navigation through the car parks.
And surely it needs to provide at the very least the section of trail through the station precinct on the north side of the station along Patterson Street.
LX has already said that the station will have a new Parkiteer for secure bike storage as well as 18 outside parking rails on day one.
The brand-new Ringwood East Station will feature a forecourt with direct access to shops and bus connections, and a new entrance to the platforms.
The station will include new lifts, stairs, lighting, upgraded pedestrian and cycling paths in the area, as well as 460 upgraded commuter car parks.
Site investigations will continue at Dublin Road throughout 2022, with major construction to start in 2023.
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