The next stage of a shared path along the busy Glenelg Highway will commence soon with designs now released for tender this week.
A contractor is now being sought to provide safe off-road riding along the Glenelg Highway / Hertford Street from the Midland Highway (Albert Street) to Phoenix College.
It will provide a safe way for students to access Phoenix College and kindergarten.
The path will be a wide shared user path, to allow for pedestrians and cyclists to use it, as well as families with prams, and more.
The path will consist of shared user paths in some sections and separated bike paths where the opportunity arises. Raised crossings across side streets will allow safer access to schools, shops and services for all pedestrians.
The construction of Stage 1, from Midland Highway (Albert Street) to Phoenix College is funded from the State Government's Spotlight on Sebastopol Project.
The aim of this project is to:
- Facilitate active transport for commuters and students with safe, raised crossings for Phoenix College.
- Create a safe, comfortable riding and walking path for recreation with links to the Yarrowee River Trail.
- Increase pedestrian and cyclist safety through a dedicated path and raised crossings at intersections.
- Preserve existing healthy trees through pruning and mulching.
- Increase provision of greening and natural shade through tree planting.
Existing healthy trees will be retained and new opportunities for additional tree planting identified.
Rest points are proposed along the path with seating, bins and cycling infrastructure like hoops and bike repair stations.
There was a community drop-in session at Phoenix College held late 2023 to view the proposed designs and discuss the project.
Feedback from this session and the online survey was predominantly around the importance of trees for shade along the route, with strong overall support for this connecting path to be constructed.
City of Ballarat Mayor Cr Des Hudson said this project is committed to increasing the safety of people involved in active transport in Ballarat.
"We want to continue to promote the benefits of cycling, walking and running across Ballarat, for our residents to be fit and healthy and to reap the environmental benefits," he said.
"We thank the community for their input into these deigns and look forward to seeing many people using these paths to get to and from school, exercising and generally getting from A to B."
The City of Ballarat is committed to transitioning Ballarat towards a more sustainable future and encouraging active transport, specifically Goal two in the City of Ballarat Council Plan 2021 - 2025, a healthy, connected and inclusive community.
Planning is underway for key connections on;
- Trails and Connections - Sutton Street connecting Victoria Park and Morshead Park.
- Trails and Connections - Whitelaw Avenue from Sutton Street to Doug Dean Reserve.
- Grenville Street North, from Mair Street to Curtis Street.
- Yarra River Places and Connections from Nicholson Street to Nolan Street and Anderson Street West
- Macarthur Street, Ballarat Central
- Forest Street, Wendouree
- Woowookarung Trail via Callow Street and Pennyweight Gully
- Yarrowee River to the Bunny Trail Connection via Queen Street North
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Development Gayle Tierney
"Whether it's students commuting to school or families going to local shops and services, nothing is more important than the safety of our community members."
"This shared pathway will assist with just that and we're proud to see this project come to life."
