There are hopes cyclists and pedestrians may be able to travel safely between Sunbury and Diggers Rest as soon as September after the Bloomdale estate developer promised to build its section of a path that stops dangerously short of a Calder Freeway overpass.
The road authority will now conduct bike and pedestrian counts, and assess if there is enough space to connect the path over the Calder interchange.
Sunbury Bicycle Users Group spokesman Hector Bugeja said the promise meant a safe solution was a big step closer.
‘‘This is a trigger,’’ he said. ‘‘This is really exciting. Instead of everyone saying it will take three years, we’re a lot closer now.’’
As reported by Star Weekly, the current path ends at Moore Road, about 200 metres short of the Calder Freeway overpass, forcing cyclists and pedestrians heading for Diggers Rest to cross onto the road.
With vehicles trying to enter the freeway or continue to the overpass, Mr Bugeja said it was a nasty mix. He said there had been many near-misses involving cars, pedestrians or cyclists at the busy site.
A cyclist was killed in a crash further along the stretch of road in October last year.
Mr Bugeja said the developer’s decision to bring its work forward put the spotlight on Hume council, which is partly responsible for the path.
Hume council’s city infrastructure director Peter Waite said a connection across the freeway is the responsibility of VicRoads.
‘‘Council will place a high priority for a path from Moore Road in its capital works program, once a path in Melton and a path across the freeway are confirmed.’’
VicRoads’ regional director Vince Punaro said the authority would work closely with Hume and Melton councils on the project.
