RESIDENTS of Melbourne’s eastern and south-eastern suburbs had a preview of the EastLink tollway this week.
The EastLink Community Open Day on Sunday was held at the Ringwood end of the tollway but was still enjoyed by Greater Dandenong residents thanks to the opening of a shared bicycle and pedestrian path.
Part of the EastLink Trail linking Ringwood to Dandenong was opened last week, just days prior to the community day to ensure people could access the tollway for walking, running and riding events without having to take a car.
Roads Minister Tim Pallas opened the 27 kilometre section of the 35 kilometre EastLink Trail.
“The trail is a $26 million investment as part of the EastLink project, and using connections to existing pathways will eventually allow people to ride from the centre of Melbourne to Carrum on a series of connected bike trails,” Mr Pallas said.
“The partial opening of the Eastlink Trail well ahead of schedule and prior Community Open Day is a massive win for communities, who will benefit recreational opportunities in their local area.”
Mr Pallas said the EastLink Trail would take residents on a ‘journey’ through bushland preserved in the EastLink passage.
“The pathway follows long established paths through the Mullum Mullum Park avoiding disruption of natural vegetation and fauna, with six new timber bridges built through the area allowing views to wetlands and swamps,” Mr Pallas said.
“The opening of the Mullum Mullum section of the trail later this month will be the final piece in a jigsaw that will see one of the biggest ever additions to Melbourne’s walking and cycling paths.”
Mr Pallas said ConnectEast and Thiess John Holland constructed the bicycle path in consultation with the State Government, Bicycle Victoria and local councils.
“This is an extremely unique walking and bicycle path for Melbourne, featuring a range of pedestrian overpasses and eventually housing around $1 million in public artworks,” he said.
