The City of Greater Bendigo with $3.74M funding provided by the Victorian Government's Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) has unveiled plans for a major project to construct a new protected shared user path along Mundy Street from Back Creek to McCrae Street in the Bendigo City Centre.
The new path (to be built on the same side of the street as the Law Courts and Salvation Army) is approximately one kilometre in length. It will feature a mix of clearly designated shared and separated walking and cycling zones along the various sections of the project. It will also include the installation of new pedestrian operated traffic lights where the path meets the arterial road network at Myers Street.
In addition to this project, DTP are installing pedestrian operated signals at the intersections of McCrae Street and Mundy Street, and Chapel Street and Hargreaves Street. The new traffic lights at these intersections will provide a dedicated, safe crossing point for pedestrians, bike riders and other vulnerable road users and provide access to the Bendigo Creek Trail and the Bendigo Low Line.
City of Greater Bendigo Presentation and Assets Director Brian Westley said the project is a key strategic action of six City strategies including the City's Walking and Cycling Strategy to connect existing off-road and future off-road trails and provide alternate access into the Bendigo city centre to support the growth of the City.
"Ultimately, the path will also connect to the Bendigo Creek Low Line which will enable people to access Epsom or Kangaroo Flat off-road," Mr Westley said.
"The project will be delivered in stages and while it is anticipated there will be some minor disruption to traffic flows in Mundy Street while the work is underway, access to businesses and properties will remain open at all times to ensure any disruptions are kept to a minimum.
"There may also be brief periods when vehicle access to properties is restricted to allow for construction across driveway areas etc. However, City staff will work with affected businesses and property owners/householders to ensure any disruptions are kept to a minimum."
The project holds many benefits for the wider community and will:
- Provide opportunities for people to travel safely off-road between the Bendigo city centre and the popular Back Creek Trail
- Complete a major project identified in six Council strategies
- Improve community access and liveability, and increase community pride and connection to the Bendigo Creek
- Support safe travel to and from local schools and events in the Bendigo city centre
- Enhance other projects being undertaken in the Bendigo city centre such as the Bendigo Low Line that allow people riding bikes to move around safely off-road
- Reduce traffic by providing sustainable active transport options
Works are expected to commence early in the second half of 2025 and are anticipated to be completed by the end of 2026.
