By Vanessa Chircop
PEDESTRIANS and cyclists will finally be able to cross Point Cook Rd Bridge safely once the bridge is widened and a bike underpass at Skeleton Creek is built.
The works, which will cost almost $700,000, will include construction of a three metre wide shared path on the eastern side of Point Cook Rd Bridge, a shared path under the bridge and a wall to prevent the path from flooding.
Hobsons Bay Councillor John Hogg said this project has been a long time coming.
“The width is so narrow, of where you pass across the bridge now that children are in danger of being clipped by passing traffic,” he said.
“There’s a lot of parents that are going to be very happy with the upgrade of the bridge.”
Cr Bill Tehan said there have been several near misses at the bridge.
“It’s a very, very dangerous intersection – particularly with the roundabout,” he said.
“Hopefully this will save some injuries particularly to cyclists as well as pedestrians.”
Hobsons Bay Mayor Michael Raffoul said the funding for the project would be allocated across the 2010-2011, 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 capital works programs.
“Seabrook, and further out to Point Cook, are areas that are booming and this project will provide important infrastructure to meet the needs of these growing communities,” Cr Raffoul said.
VicRoads will maintain the bridge widening, while the council will take care of the underpass.
