North East Bicycle Corridor linking Chandle Hiqhway and Alexandra Parade

North East Bicycle CorridorLinking Communities

A Boroondara Bicycle Users Group proposal

The need - Bicycles are used more and more for transport in Melbourne. The Yarra, Anniversary, and Darebin Creek Trails already exist but the current Yarra crossing route across the narrow Fairfield Pipe Bridge is circuitous and steep.

The solution - A direct arterial shared path built from Chandler Highway where the Darebin, Yarra, and Anniversary Trails converge through to Alexandra Parade*.

*This is an updated proposal of the route referred to in BBUG’s original submission as the “Dights Fall Trail”.Version 1.0

http://boroondarabug.org/

Benefits• Transport• Safety• Linking communities• Journey savings

Page 22/04/2014 North East Bicycle Corridor

Safe separation, good gradient

Family friendlyPeninsula Link Trail shared bridge

Benefits

2/04/2014 North East Bicycle Corridor Page 3

• Health• Family friendly• Key destinations• Route connections• Favourable cost-benefit

Gardiners Creek TrailAlexandra Parade median bike path

Map 21. Plan Melbourne

Riders from 8 to 80A shared trail

Planning considerations• The NEBC will link with the new shared path along Alexandra Parade1

• Provide infrastructure to meet project performance requirement T1 (pedestrian and bicycle)

• Provide new cycling infrastructure connecting with Melbourne's northern and eastern suburbs2

• The NEBC route is included in Plan Melbourne, Initiative 3.1.5, Support Walking and Cycling in Central Melbourne 3

• "Create safe environments for pedestrians and bicycle riders“ and "Incorporate pedestrian and bicycle facilities when building other infrastructure“, Ministerial Statement4

• Support strategic directions in Cycling into the Future, Victoria’s Cycling Strategy5 including:– Reduce safety risks– Encourage cycling– Plan networks and prioritise investments


1$100m plus boost for Melbourne’s public transport - Premier of Victoria2Walking and cycling - Linking Melbourne Authority3Plan Melbourne, Metropolitan Planning Strategy, Victorian Government, Oct 2013. Page 80. Map 21.4Walking, Riding and Access to Public Transport, Australian Government, Department of Infrastructure & Transport 2013, p115Cycling into the Future 2013-23, Victorian Government

Map 21. Plan Melbourne

More than 1 million Victorians ride a bike each week and trips to work by bike have grown by 5 per cent each year (2001-2011)5

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/9058-100m-plus-boost-for-melbourne-s-public-transport.html

http://www.linkingmelbourne.vic.gov.au/east-west-link/project-overview/walking-and-cycling

Hospital and University Precinct

Current Network – Poor Connections

Very poor existing connection

• Anniversary Trail• Koonung Creek Trail• Darebin Creek Trail• Yarra Trail

Inner suburbs

To:

No current direct connections from:


Dar

ebin

Cre

ek t

rail

Yarr

a Tr

ail

Koonung Creek Trail

Anniversary Trail

CBD

Wel

ling

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Alexandra Parade

Inner suburbs & CBD

Hospital and University Precinct

Before: Existing route is unsafe, 1km longer and takes approx. 10 minutes more to ride

Bicycle Route Before and After

After: NEBC direct route is shorter, safer and much easier to ride


Steps near Chandler Highway - 7 flights with 61 steps

Some Existing Route Issues

The existing route deters many cyclists, particularly young and novice riders.

Narrow pipe bridge across the Yarra River

Narrow, steep and circuitous path with numerous sharp unsafe bends


Long uphill grade on Kew Boulevard could be eliminated

NEBC Probable Catchment AreaThe NEBC will service a catchment area population of 211,000 within 40 minutes riding from Alexandra Parade from suburbs including Fairfield, Alphington, Kew, Ivanhoe, Bulleen, Balwyn, Hawthorn, North Balwyn, Mont Albert North, Doncaster and Heidelberg


Source: 2011 Census

Route details from East to West• Route starts from Yarra Trail east of Chandler Highway

• Under Chandler Highway and Off-Ramp

• From Off-Ramp towards Yarra River

• Yarra River Crossing

• Yarra River to Clifton Hill

• Merri Creek Crossing

• Under Clifton Hill Rail Line

• Through Hoddle Street Interchange

• Connect to Alexandra Parade Median shared path


Chandler Highway - startThe starting point at the eastern end of the route leaves the existing Yarra shared trail near the Guide Dogs, east of Chandler Hwy


Chandler Highway and Off-Ramp

Use unused underpass under Chandler Highway

New underpass to be constructed under east bound Chandler highway off-ramp


From Off-Ramp towards Yarra River

Bicycle route to be constructed behind ‘New Jersey’ traffic barrier with screen above it to minimise driver distraction, noise and effect of wind gusts.

Route will require earthworks to toe of batter and a small retaining wall


Yarra River CrossingPreferred treatment: Repurpose existing lanes•Existing left freeway lane becomes freeway emergency lane

•Existing emergency lane becomes NEBC route bridge crossing behind New Jersey barrier


Yarra River Crossing – Alternatives

Alternative 1. No emergency stopping lane over bridge

Alternative 2. Separate bike bridge over Yarra


Proposed bicycle route is outside the freeway reservation, passing the Fairfield Fly Fishing Ponds and recreational ovals

Yarra River to Clifton Hill


Looking East from Parks Vic Office

Merri Creek CrossingWest of Groom St the route is located off-road between Alexandra Parade East with the sound barriers placed closer to the flyover piers.


Under Clifton Hill Rail Line

Regrade route to provide a minimum clearance of 2.2 metres under Clifton Hill Rail bridge


Through Hoddle Street Interchange Switchback on bicycle bridge


* Off-road route is preferable

Tunnel portal

On-road bicycle route*

Concept alignment of bicycle bridge through interchange

Bicycle route along Alexandra Parade median

Alexandra Parade

Off-road shared path

Hoddle Street Interchange Conceptual height of bicycle bridge through Hoddle Street Interchange – designed to minimise the gradient


• Road flyover approx. 17m height above ground to clear the Clifton Hill rail line.

• Road flyover clearance to Hoddle Street approx. 12m

• Indicative NEBC bike bridge is shown underneath road flyover, with 6m clearance of Hoddle Street

East West Link Model illustrating NEBC route crossing Hoddle St

Connect to Alexandra Parade MedianThe western end of the NEBC route connects with the shared path on the Alexandra Parade median


This will provide good access to the inner suburbs of Collingwood, Abbotsford, Fitzroy, Carlton, Richmond, Parkville and the CBD.

Cost Estimate

• A concept cost estimate of the North East Bicycle Corridor has been prepared based on indicative plans for the East West Link released by Linking Melbourne Authority.

• The estimated cost is $30 million to construct NEBC works from Chandler Highway to Alexandra Parade (Wellington Street). The estimate includes provision for contingencies of 50%

• The NEBC project would cost considerably more if it were constructed following the completion of the East West Link.

• Thus, the opportunity to construct this valuable bicycle project should not be deferred.


Approaching Hoddle St Interchange looking east


Visual concept only, design engineering has not been done. Source: Urban Circus

Switchback below Road Flyover



Crossing Hoddle St looking East



Looking East to Hoddle Street



Descending to Alexandra Parade Median


4.


Summary• There is an opportunity to build the NEBC and provide greatly

needed cycling infrastructure and meet project performance requirement T1 (pedestrian and bicycle).

• The NEBC will provide:– significant benefits to the community including local bicycle and pedestrian trips,

connecting communities and workplaces and longer transport-oriented cycling trips servicing large catchment areas.

– a direct off-road route offering a shorter and quicker journey– a much safer alternative to on-road routes that will encourage the use of bicycles

as a transport mode– a very cost effective transport solution compared to road and rail if done in

conjunction with the EW Link

• The NEBC route is both practical and feasible – detailed planning will resolve design and construction details.

• The NEBC will contribute significantly to the community amenity of the EW Link project.


Recommendation

The Boroondara Bicycle Users Group requests that the Assessment Panel recommend the construction of the North East Bicycle Corridor as part of the East West Link Project


Bicycle bridge on Peninsula Link Trail Ted Smout Memorial Bridge, Brisbane

References

• North East Bicycle Corridor, Boroondara BUG– http://boroondarabug.org/wiki/M3

• Eastern Corridor Trail, Bicycle Network– https://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/general/better-conditions/975/

• North East Bicycle Corridor, Victorian Cycling Network – http://www.victorian-cycling-network.org/bicycle-routes/north-east-bicycle-corridor


News & Politics

North East Bicycle Corridor linking Chandle Hiqhway and Alexandra Parade