BHRRT: box hill ringwood rail trail: the project

the plan

The Box Hill to Ringwood Rail Trail (BHRRT) The proposed BHRRT comprises

947 metres of existing shared use paths
4.46 kms of new shared paths on the rail reserve
713 metres of new shared paths on other than rail land
2.76 kms of on road paths
563 metres through rail station car parks
486 metres of upgraded and widened existing paths
An overpass above Cochrane St Mitcham
An underpass beneath the rail lines in Nunawading

estimated cost

$4.96M for initial works; $2.3M extra for "ulitmate trail" with further sections on rail reserve.

reasons why the BHRRT should be built now

Cycling is an essential element of a sustainable transport future in a carbon and oil constrained society
Cycle infrastructure to be incorporated into new road and rail infrastructure as a matter of course. Victorian Bicycle Strategy launched by Premier and Minister for Roads, 23 March 2009
Consistent with Melbourne 2030 and Victorian Transport Plan in providing linkages between Central Activity Districts Box Hill and Ringwood
There is no efficient and safe East-West cycle route in central Whitehorse. The BHRRT will fill this gap.
The BHRRT concept is not new! Two previous studies have been done.
The BHRRT is part of City of Whitehorse Bicycle Strategy adopted in 2007.
The BHRRT is being considered for inclusion as a Primary Route on the Vic Roads principle bicycle network (PBN).
The BHRRT has the strong support of local State and Federal MPs (Mike Symon - Deakin, Shaun Leane MLC - Eastern Metro) and the City of Whitehorse.
The BHRRT will provide a sustainable transport option for a number of schools, businesses and workplaces along the corridor, linking to the Box Hill activity centre.
The BHRRT is feasible even allowing for a 3rd rail line from Box Hill to Ringwood.

a little history

The BHRRT plan came out of an earlier concept called the Eastern Rail Trail documented in June 1996. Since then the infrastructure and administration of the Belgrave-Lilydale railway line has changed a great deal. A group from Whitehorse Cyclists club decided to investigate the project anew -- concentrating on continuing the very small part of the trail already in place. (A trail of about 250 metres had already been built along the north side of the rail line behind Box Hill Town Hall as part of the Eastern Rail Trail.)