By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
PLACES Victoria is set to build a long-awaited bridge across Dandenong Creek.
The bridge will link central Dandenong and Dandenong South via Metro Village 3175 housing estate.
The proposed Allan Street bridge, to be built as part of a long-standing agreement with Greater Dandenong Council, will connect southwards to the corner of Dalgety Street and Morwell Avenue.
It will provide vehicle and pedestrian access for Metro Village residents to Dandenong South Primary School and Dandenong Bypass.
For Dandenong South residents it will offer a quicker route to the CBD and Cheltenham Road.
The project is proceeding after recent talks between the council and Places Victoria.
Greater Dandenong Mayor Jim Memeti said the council had to fight for Places Victoria to honour its agreement to build the bridge, which is not mentioned on the Revitalising Central Dandenong website’s list of future projects.
He said the bridge would be an asset for residents on both sides of the creek and an expectation for recently-settled residents in the Metro Village estate.
“It shouldn’t become a rat run. It will just be local traffic using the bridge,” Cr Memeti said.
“It will mainly help residents in that area by taking traffic off Cheltenham and Hammond roads.”
Councillor Peter Brown said the thoroughfare may come as a shock for Metro Village residents.
He called for a precautionary cost-benefit analysis and traffic study prior to construction.
“A number of owners and residents in Metro Village are going to take traffic through their estate from Dandenong South.
“The community on the south side may benefit from the bridge but I’m not sure if people on the other side of the creek will.”
Places Victoria land development and housing general manager Joanne Wandel said tenders were expected to go out in early 2015.
“Places Victoria and the City of Greater Dandenong are working together to finalise the design and construction program.”
