Nod for bridge

By Kath Gannaway
VICROADS has been given the go-ahead to build a steel multi-use bridge over the Maroondah Highway at Lilydale.
The bridge will link the northern and southern embankments of the Lilydale-Warburton Rail Trail providing a safe bicycle, horse and pedestrian crossing for users of the trail.
The previous railway bridge was removed in 1979, some 14 years after the railway line to Warburton was closed.
The Rail Trail Committee of Management pushed for many years for a bridge to connect the dissected rail trail and in August 2008 the State Government announced funding for the project which will be funded by VicRoads, Parks Victoria and the Shire of Yarra Ranges.
The $3.5 million project was announced by the State Government in August last year.
The design will incorporate previous elements of the original bridges, symbolically replicating the presence of a railway bridge.
Previous requests by VicRoads for the removal of 34 trees, which they argued as necessary for the project to go ahead, had been refused by the council’s Tree Task Force.
The TTF stood by that decision at its meeting in September, but on Tuesday night the council upheld a recommendation that the project go ahead, including the tree removal.
Cr Tim Heenan said the project had been languishing for too long.
“We have a wonderful opportunity to link that section of the trail which is an ongoing frustration for people coming off the train and having to find a way to cross the highway to pick up the trail,” he said.
He said it was an opportunity to increase tourism and to increase economic development in the area with the bridge construction.
Crs Higgins and Avery supported the application saying it provided a safe alternative for trail users.
Cr Dunn also supported the plan saying she believed VicRoads had limited as much as possible the removal of vegetation and were to be commended.
“It has been shown time and time again if people are given an option to walk or cycle, they will walk or cycle.
“The public health benefits are enormous,” she said.
Cr Chris Templer added his support to the project saying it would facilitate the use of the trail from Lilydale right through to Warburton.
“I’m a bit disappointed that it took the Tree Task Force five meetings,” he added.
“I think it could be done a bit quicker than that.”