DoI letters re Dynon Port Rail Link
Here’s all the correspondence so far on the new rail bridge. I’ll post the plans when I get them.
Mark Horner <mfhor@yahoo.co.uk>
To: railprojectenquiries@doi.vic.gov.au
16/04/08 01:53 PM
Subject
Temporary Road crossings affect cyclists adversely
To whom it may concern,
This is to express concern over the level of safety afforded cyclists on
the temporary Footscray Road bike path during the construction of the Dynon
Port Rail Link, especially at the intersection of Appleton Dock Road and
Footscray Road, and the Citylink off ramp nearby. It is felt by a
significant proportion of our members that the crossings of these roads by
the temporary bike paths are not signalled clearly enough to trucks or
cars, who often do not know to exercise care in decelerating before the
crossing, putting cyclists crossing these roads at considerable risk. The
signposting of these temporary crossings for cyclists is also difficult to
follow and unclear, especially difficult when the path is realigned
regularly. Whilst it is understood that the path realignment is necessary
for construction purposes, MazzaBUG requests that the traffic situation in
regards to cyclist safety on the temporary road crossings is upgraded to
cope with cyclist apprehensions of injury from motorists – signalled by
several reported near misses, who might be similarly confused by the
construction process.
Yours sincerely,
Mark Horner
Safety and Advocacy Officer
Maribyrnong Bicycle Users Group (MazzaBUG)
—– Original Message —-
From: “railprojectenquiries@doi.vic.gov.au“
<railprojectenquiries@doi.vic.gov.au>
To: Mark Horner <mfhor@yahoo.co.uk>
Sent: Thursday, 24 April, 2008 9:54:15 AM
Subject: Re: Temporary Road crossings affect cyclists adversely
Dear Mark,
Thank you for your recent enquiry on behalf of the Maribyrnong Bicycle
Users Group regarding the roadworks on Footscray Road.
There are two issues you have raised and this response is only in respect
to the shared path crossing at Appleton Dock Road. The issue regarding the
intersection on the city side of CityLink has been referred to the
appropriate authority for separate consideration as it is not covered by
the Department of Infrastructure (DOI) or Leighton Contractors, the
contractor building the Dynon Port Rail Link.
The DOI and Leighton Contractors have undertaken steps to ensure a safe and
clearly signed temporary shared path is provided on Footscray Road during
these works near Appleton Dock Road. We have again examined the shared
path crossing at Appleton Dock Road and I can advise that there are a
number of signs advising cyclists to use caution at the crossing, including
a recently added Give Way painted onto the pavement both inbound and
outbound. This is in addition to the existing Give Way signs, the Prepare
to Stop signs and Watch for Entering Traffic signs.
Leighton Contractors has also added a sign on Footscray Road to warn left
turning traffic that there is a shared path crossing around the corner on
Appleton Dock Road. Further safety improvements to the crossing include
the removal of screening from the safety barriers along the path which
enables cyclists and pedestrians to clearly see oncoming traffic on
Footscray Road.
It has always been necessary for cyclists to give way to left turning in
and out traffic at this intersection and the operation of the shared path
will continue to be monitored by DOI and Leighton Contractors as the
project progresses. We are working closely with the City of Melbourne and
consult regularly with Bicycle Victoria about the shared path during
construction and considering further safety treatments of the Appleton Dock
Road crossing. I am happy to keep you updated on any further
modifications.
I can advise that the temporary shared path will remain in operation until
mid-2008, at which time cyclists and pedestrians will be diverted onto the
new permanent shared path when the outbound lanes of the new Footscray Road
overpass are opened.
Thank you again for your enquiry. Should you have any further questions or
concerns, please contact the project team via 1800 RAIL 00 (1800 724 500)
or railprojectenquiries@doi.vic.gov.au
Kind regards,
Briana Dewar
Mark Horner <mfhor@yahoo.co.uk>
To railprojectenquiries@doi.vic.gov.au
26/04/08 08:45 AM
Subject: Re: Temporary Road crossings affect cyclists adversely
Thankyou for your reply, which I have posted on our website for the benefit
of our members. Would you be able to point me towards an image or a plan of
what the completed bike path over the new bridge will look like, so I can
inform our membership further?
Thanks, Mark Horner
Safety and Advocacy Officer
Maribyrnong Bicycle Users Group (MazzaBUG)
—– Original Message —-
From: “railprojectenquiries@doi.vic.gov.au“
<railprojectenquiries@doi.vic.gov.au>
To: Mark Horner <mfhor@yahoo.co.uk>
Sent: Monday, 28 April, 2008 11:34:06 AM
Subject: Re: Temporary Road crossings affect cyclists adversely
Dear Mark,
We are currently finalising some diagrams of what the finished shared user
path will look like. I am happy to forward a diagram to you as soon as
they have been completed.
Please give me a call on 1800 RAIL 00 if you need any further information.
Briana Dewar
railprojectenquiries@doi.vic.gov.au
1800 RAIL 00 (1800 724 500)
Hello again,
Thankyou for your concern and I am looking forward to seeing the plans for
the shared path on this interesting new piece of infrastructure, which I
hope will reduce truck traffic in our municipality. I would like to add
that I hope there is provision for on-road space for cyclists as well, if
they need or want it, due to the slow-speed nature of most shared use
paths. I have been cycling on Footscray Rd itself rather than using the
path, both to and from the city, and at present the traffic is manageable
for my perception of safety. Others have also expressed concern to me that
there will not be edge treatment on the new road overpass that will treat
cyclists kindly, i.e. lack of a paved margin on the bridge outside the
edgemarking. Can you clarify this?
I too went to inspect the current state of the road crossing of the path a
few days ago. Whilst there is more than adequate signage alerting cyclists
to the road crossing, there is none at all for traffic approaching
Footscray Rd. along Appleton Dock Rd. alerting drivers to the shared path
crossing. See photos one and two here. I did not check the Footscray Rd.
approach to Appleton Dock Rd., but I refer to your assurance of a sign
placed there to warn left turning drivers. I would hope that this will be
addressed and rectified, as this omission forms the majority of our
members’ concern over this issue, and the main thing I was concerned about
in writing to you.
Yours sincerely,
Mark Horner
Safety and Advocacy Officer
Maribyrnong Bicycle Users Group (MazzaBUG)
Dear Mark,
In response to your enquiry, I can advise that the new Footscray Road
overpass will include a three metre wide shared path that will run along
the southern side of the outbound bridge and will be separated from road
traffic by a containment barrier. The shared path, designed in
consultation with Bicycle Victoria, is designed to safely separate cyclists
and pedestrians from the heavy vehicles operating within the precinct. No
provision has been made for an on-road space for cyclists on the new
overpass.
I also advise that there is pedestrian / cyclist warning signage on both
approaches to the shared path crossing on Appleton Dock Road. On Footscray
Road, the sign is placed at the entry to the left turn lane into Appleton
Dock Road and on Appleton Dock Road, the sign is place prior to the curve
(south of area you have photographed), in order to provide advice warning.
We recommend that all cyclists and pedestrians use the shared path and obey
the advance warning and give way signs posted at the Appleton Dock Road in
order to avoid conflict with traffic in the precinct.
I have noted your details and will keep you updated on any further
modifications to the shared path or crossing on Appleton Dock Road. In
addition, I will ensure that a diagram of the shared path on the new
Footscray Road overpass is provided to you when it is finalised.
Kind regards,
Briana Dewar
Dear Briana,
Thankyou for your further reply, and I apologise that I did not travel far enough down Appleton Dock Rd. to see the ‘missing’ warning sign. I can see that the new path as you have informed me would be adequate for all categories of cyclist, and I will inform our members of this at our meeting tonight.
Regards,
Mark Horner
. . . although the sign telling trucks to slow down before they get to our crossing is further back . . .
. . . the signage of which is rather confused. Do we ‘Stop’ or ‘Give way’?
