The bike bridge on Old Warburton Road near the Mt Little Joe Track intersection, will be getting a revamp as part of Stage One of the construction of the Warburton Mountain Bike Destination (WMBD).
Community engagement is now open on the façade of the bridge – whether the cladding for the bridge will be a rusty-coloured metal, to blend with the natural surroundings, or a plain galvanised/grey metal.
Yarra Ranges Mayor Sophie Todorov, said the bridge would help cyclists navigate the mountain bike trails while keeping them separate from traffic.
“We know that Old Warburton Road is a winding forest road, used by many to access their homes, along with Wesburn and Warburton, so having a bridge constructed over the road was a fundamental component of this first stage of the project,” she said.
“This bridge will be high enough to allow truck traffic underneath, with a 5.4 metre clearance; it will keep motorists and cyclists safe from collision and allow cyclists to have a continuous trail experience.”
The bridge, which will form a key link over Old Warburton Road between bike trails, will be constructed from galvanised steel framing, with a fibreglass reinforced plastic (FRP) decking and steel and concrete columns.
The two cladding options to pick from are between a galvanised steel rod balustrade and handrails or corten steel blade cladding.
No trees will be removed as part of the construction works.
Cr Todorov said the bridge was featured in the Environment Effects Statement (EES) exhibited to the public for community engagement a couple years ago.
“We know local residents and users of the mountain bike trails will see this bridge regularly, and so we’ve opened additional community engagement to let the community influence the appearance of the bridge,” she said.
“I encourage everyone in the Upper Yarra to have a look at the designs, and share their feedback, before 8 September.”
Artist impressions of the designs can be viewed on the Shaping Yarra Ranges page for the project, with engagement closing on Sunday 8 September.
To find out more and vote for your preference, visit shaping.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/old-warburton-road-bridge-wmbd?.
