Work has started on a new separated bike lane from Footscray to Kensington, including a new crossing of the Maribyrnong River on Hopetoun Bridge.

The first stage of the new facility will link the existing separated lane along Dynon Road to the Moonee Ponds Creek Trail in North Melbourne.

Later stages will connect from the Maribyrnong into central Footscray.

The facility abuts the massive new housing developments underway in the Josephs Road precinct, providing the new residents with quick and direct access either to the CBD, Docklands, and the other way to Footscray, Victoria University and the soon to be built teaching hospital.

And, in the wake of the West Gate Tunnel Project, there will be new connections into West Melbourne at the city end of Dynon Road.

Melbourne’s inner west—long neglected for bike infrastructure—looks set for a boom in riding as a result of this project and others currently being delivered or planned.

The proposed improvements to Dynon Road between Maribyrnong Street, Footscray and Dock Link Road, West Melbourne include:

A new dedicated two-way bike lane along the inbound side of Dynon Road, between Maribyrnong Street and Kensington Road

New shared path along the inbound side of Dynon Road, between Kensington Road and Dock Link Road – connecting to the existing shared path to North Melbourne

New pedestrian operated signal at Maribyrnong Street Raised crossing points at local road intersections, making it safer and easier for pedestrians and cyclists to travel along Dynon Road

Safety treatments such as new line marking and signage

Extended kerbsides at intersections along the corridor to slow traffic and reduce the crossing distance for pedestrians and cyclists.

Pre-construction works have started and VicRoads expects bike to be zooming along the new paths sometime this Spring.

The works will interrupt bike connections in the area for some months. Exact details of impacts and detours are expected to be released soon.

Dynon Road and the Hopetoun Bridge are very wide in the location of the works, making it possible to take some of the lazy space and insert a two way bike lane on the north side of the road.

The centre median of the road is being moved slightly to the south to create the new space.

The footpaths on the bridge will be retained.