By ALESHA CAPONE
A NEW Sunshine rail footbridge has been opened to the public three weeks ahead of schedule.
The structure, built between the HV McKay Memorial Gardens and Harvester Rd, was actually scheduled to open during February.
The bridge has been named after Sunshine’s well-known industrialist and founding father HV McKay.
The bridge was constructed as part of the Regional Rail Link project construction.
With a 66-metre span, the bridge is now long enough to accommodate the extra tracks built on the rail corridor.
A number of suggestions from community groups have been included in the bridge’s design.
Authorities have said work will continue on the bridge and at times there may be short-term closures, to ensure safety.
The bridge is expected to be finished by the end of April and will provide improved access for pedestrians, cyclists and people with a disability, with the addition of lifts as well as stairs.
Regional Rail Link works from Footscray to Deer Park are being delivered by an alliance consisting of Thiess, Balfour Beatty, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Sinclair Knight Merz, Regional Rail Link Authority, Metro and V/Line.
