The opening of the Bassendean section of the Guildford Road PSP*
The Minister of Transport Mr Troy Buswell in a press release dated October 10, 2012 has announced that two railway bridges (Third Avenue railway bridge and the Seventh Avenue railway bridge) in Maylands will be upgraded with the upgrades commencing in 2013. The upgrade will include the development of new pedestrian/cycle paths which hopefully will connect to the Guildford Road Principal Shared Path.
Third Avenue Railway Bridge
Third Avenue Maylands Railway Bridge (Google Maps)
The first bridge to be upgraded is the Third Avenue Bridge, between Railway Parade and Whatley Crescent, Maylands which currently carries about 9,500 vehicles per day. The upgrade will include the construction of a new steel and concrete bridge with wider traffic lanes, pedestrian/cycle path, balustrades and traffic barriers. Upgrades to the adjoining intersections of the bridge, Railway Parade and Whatley Crescent are said to improve overall road safety. Pre-construction works, including design and survey works, have commenced with construction due to start in November 2013.
I hope and assume that the cycle path on the bridge will connect into the principal shared path that “connects” Midland to Perth city.
Seventh Avenue Railway Bridge
Seventh Avenue Railway Bridge, Maylands **
The second bridge to be “upgraded” is the historically recognised Seventh Avenue Bridge in Maylands which it is planned to replace. Whilst I appreciate the need to have good infrastructure it is disappointing that this historical bridge will be replaced rather than upgraded and hence retaining its character. I do hope that the design features will retain its historical character.
The works will involve construction of a new steel and concrete bridge with wider traffic lanes, pedestrian/cycle path, balustrades and traffic barriers. Design features will be agreed with the City of Bayswater to ensure heritage requirements are met.
Minor pre-construction works have been undertaken with works due to start by 2014-15.
Once again one hopes that the cycle path on the bridge will connect into the principal shared path that “connects” Midland to Perth city.
Your Turn To Talk
Please do share your thoughts on these upgrades with the rest of us by leaving a comment below. I am particularly interested in your thoughts about the potential lost of the Seventh Avenue Railway Bridge.
* This image has been sourced from the Bicycle Transport Alliance.
** This image has been sourced from Photographs of Perth
