Yarra Ranges Council has welcomed the State Government's announcement that it will design and rebuild the McMahons Creek Pedestrian Bridge.
Member for Northern Victoria, Jaclyn Symes, announced that the bridge would be rebuilt by the State Government, with Council leading the design, community engagement and delivery of the project over the coming year.
Yarra Ranges Mayor, Jim Child, said the bridge's removal in 2017 had been a significant safety issue in his ward.
"The old road bridge in McMahons Creek was used as a footbridge for 29 years after the current bridge was built on Woods Point Road, and locals frequently used this bridge to get around," Cr Child said.
"This bridge connected the town, while also providing safe connections for school children getting off the bus and travelling home.
"When it was removed in 2017, due to safety issues, pedestrians and school children had to then walk across the road bridge.
"This raised safety issues in its own right and community members have raised significant concerns for children walking across a road bridge, on an arterial road, with no safe footpath.
"We've been strongly advocating to VicRoads and the State Government on the community's behalf, asking for a new bridge for the last five years.
"I'm pleased that the State Government will provide for the design and construction of a new bridge. This will give community members certainty and dramatically improve safety for community members, motorists and school children alike when the bridge opens."
This project will be funded by the State Government's School and Community Safety Program, which provides funding for pedestrian crossing upgrades and other community projects.
