Locals and visitors will not have access to the Redwoods Forest in Warburton as Cement Creek Bridge Road will be closed while Council performs necessary bridge upgrade works to Cement Creek Bridge.
It is expected that access will be closed from Monday 17 October to late December while construction to replace the existing bridge deck takes place.
The forest will still be able to be accessed by bike or on foot via the O’Shannassy Aqueduct Trail, with variable message signs (VMS) in place to notify motorists of the works.
The upgrades will provide improved safety for visitors to the forest by increasing the load capacity of the bridge, as well as the addition of a new accessway for pedestrians alongside the bridge.
The $1.3 million project is being funded by the Federal Government’s Roads to Recovery Program, Bridge Renewal Program, and the Victorian Government.
Yarra Ranges Mayor and O’Shannassy Ward Councillor, Jim Child, said that the upgrades were required to ensure ongoing community safety when visiting the Redwoods Forest.
“The Redwoods Forest is one of the most visited locations in our municipality, so having the bridge upgraded to accommodate the increased traffic to the area is a necessity,” Cr Child said.
“The closure is obviously going to cause some disruption to the usual method that locals and visitors would use to visit the Redwoods, but it’s a necessary measure we need to take to ensure the upgrades are completed as efficiently and safely as possible.”
Following the upgrade to the bridge, Parks Victoria are also planning improvements to the Redwoods Forest to enhance the visitor experience and protect the forest’s unique natural and cultural values.
To read more on the planned facility upgrades, visit: www.parks.vic.gov.au/projects/melbourne-region/cement-creek-redwood-forest-facility-upgrades.
