Goodwood Railway Station bike overpass scrapped over fears for tree loss, replaced with underpass

Goodwood’s $35m bikeway overpass plan has been dumped and redesigned, with residents worried about the loss of trees. See the new plans.

Two narrow pedestrian underpasses under the tram bridge will be widened to allow safer passage. Picture: Supplied

A major $35m bikeway overpass at Goodwood Railway Station – funded 50/50 with the federal government – has been stopped in its tracks amid environmental worries raised by the community.

Both Unley residents and councillors expressed concerns over the current designs that would have led to the axing of more than 40 trees from Forestville Reserve to make way for what was originally intended to be a shared-use path for cyclists and pedestrians along the overpass above the station.

Badcoe MP Jayne Stinson announced a new $35m plan over the weekend that will instead upgrade the underpass beneath the station and remedy “three key problems” the community wanted fixed – while preserving Forestville Reserve.

An artist's impression of the proposed new underpass. Picture: Supplied

An aerial view of the newly proposed Goodwood underpass bikeway redesign. Picture: Supplied

“Firstly, hugely widening the two narrow pedestrian underpasses under the tram bridge to allow safer passage – a move welcomed by cyclists. Secondly, improving safety and drainage through the pedestrian underpass under the platform. And thirdly, upgrading the Goodwood Station platform with CCTV, lighting, resurfacing and painting,” Ms Stinson said.

In May 2022, a community reference group was established where it was decided there was no “feasible option” that wouldn’t impact Forestville Reserve.

Badcoe MP Jayne Stinson at Forestville Reserve on the weekend announcing the decision to Forestville locals. Picture: Supplied

As a result, the decision to scrap the overpass development was made.

However, the new redesigned plan will improve safety and the user experience of the underpass, while also having a minimal impact on Forestville Reserve and its trees.

“The government’s listened to locals, undertaken detailed and meaningful consultation, along with engineering analysis of all possible alternatives,” she said.

“People in my community are serious about protecting – and growing – our canopy cover and green public spaces. We’ve fought hard to protect what makes our suburb special and I commend everyone for making their voice heard.

“As a Forestville local myself, I know this is a special place and a drawcard for families and young people. It would have been a travesty to lose it.”

The initial designs for the Mike Turtur Bikeway Overpass Project. Picture: Supplied

In May 2016, the Weatherill Government first announced the $10m Mike Turtur Bikeway Overpass Project that would “remove the last major impediment” for people using the bikeway that runs next to the tramline from the CBD to Glenelg.

The upgrade is part of the $421.4m Goodwood and Torrens Junctions project, jointly funded by the Australian and South Australian governments.

Ms Stinson has revealed there will be minimal “impact on public transport users” during construction.

“The work will be done during the planned tram line shut down (believed to start from mid-to-late 2025) for the new $400m Marion/Cross tram overpass,” she said.