Tara Murray
Cyclists and pedestrians are in for a boost with the M80 Trail to be upgraded as part of the Melbourne Airport Rail link.
There will be up to eight kilometres of new or upgraded walking and cycling paths between Sunshine and Melbourne Airport, including in Albion, Airport West, Keilor East, Keilor Park, Sunshine North and Tullamarine.
The M80 Trail is a 43km dedicated shared user path that follows the path of the Western Ring Road connecting the western and northern suburbs from Federation Trail through to the Greensborough bypass.
Under the works a new shared-use path will be constructed near Albion Station to connect to on-road cycling infrastructure at St Albans Road.
This upgrade is a missing link identified in the Department of Transport’s Strategic Cycling Corridor network.
A new overpass over the rail corridor in Sunshine North will be built, replacing two nearby existing connection points.
The project will also provide an additional walking and cycling connection on the Fullarton Road bridge over the rail line, connecting the communities of Airport West and Keilor Park.
The connectivity of the M80 Trail under Calder Freeway and Fullarton Road will also be retained by relocating it to the south east side of the rail corridor.
The missing link at Tullamarine between Fullarton Road and Sharps Road will also be addressed.
Extra bike cages and hoops will also be built at Albion station.
St Albans MP Natalie Suleyman said this will create safer and better journeys for all pedestrians and cyclists as they travel throughout the area, while Western Metropolitan Region upper house member Ingrid Stitt said the upgrades would benefit all locals.
Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan said construction will begin next year.
