New cycling veloway opens in Docklands

A new elevated cycling and pedestrian bridge over Footscray Rd opened on April 15 to the delight of local cyclists.

The 220-metre bridge crosses Footscray Rd diagonally, linking Docklands to the Capital City Trail and the Moonee Ponds Creek Trail.

“I think it’s a great addition to the great infrastructure that Melbourne already has for cyclists,” said Anthony, a cyclist who went out of his way to try out the bridge on opening day.

The overpass leads to the soon-to-be-completed 2.5-kilometre veloway connecting Footscray to Docklands.

Once completed, the veloway will provide a safe elevated route for cyclists from the city side of the Moonee Ponds Creek to the Footscray side of the Maribyrnong River, removing six road crossings.

Both cycleways form part of the $10 billion West Gate Tunnel Project, which includes more than 14km of new and upgraded cycle and pedestrian paths.

The new paths will connect Docklands and Footscray to the outer western suburbs for cyclists, providing alternative transport options for residents across the inner city and the west.

Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams said the new bridge was “a big step towards transforming the corridor into an elevated cycling super-highway between the city and the west.”

The new bright green bridge is suspended from two 40-metre-tall steel pylons by a series of cables. The design is inspired by the West Gate Bridge that can be seen behind it when looking from the north-east.

Four out of six locals approached by Docklands News approved of the design, while two local workers expressed concerns that it impeded on views of the city and Docklands.

“It’s not very pleasant to look at,” Sumeeka said. “The colour is not very nice.”

On the contrary, Anthony said, “it looks fantastic.”