Narrabeen Lagoon’s pedestrian/cycle bridge set to open to stop ‘conflicts’ over space
Cyclists and pedestrians have been blueing for decades about space on a notorious northern beaches shared path – now it’s all about to change. See the construction timeline pix.
Manly
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A notorious “conflict” zone between bustling pedestrians and cruising cyclists on the northern beaches is set to disappear.
Work is almost complete on the three metre-wide bridge over Narrabeen Lagoon to be shared by walkers, joggers and riders.
The $3.2 million bridge has been built alongside the existing 68-year-old road bridge on Pittwater Rd, which has a narrow shared pedestrian/cycle path just one metre wide.
For decades people had been complaining to Northern Beaches Council about arguments between pedestrians and bike riders on what the council described as a “bottleneck” and a “safety hazard” for cyclists and walkers.
Signs on the old path direct riders to “dismount” before they use the narrow shared path, which is part of the popular 8.24m Narrabeen Lagoon Trail. But public feedback provided to the council suggested that some riders do not get off their bikes.
“This path is a known area of conflict for pedestrians and cyclists due to the width of the existing bridge,” the council stated in documents asking for public submissions.
“The section of path across the Pittwater Road Bridge has been identified as a bottleneck and safety hazard for cyclist and pedestrian users of the bridge.”
It was originally hoped the bridge would be open by May this year however that was put back to August due to bad weather and delays in receiving building materials.
Then in July the council announced that problems with the decking that was initially installed, which did not meet “project design requirements” had to be replaced. This meant the opening would be more like mid-September.
Now, the council says the bridge will, weather permitting, see foot and bike traffic in time for the upcoming Christmas holidays.
Mayor Michael Regan said the new bridge would provide walkers, runners and cyclists on the Narrabeen Lagoon Trail with a safer path, away from motor vehicles.
“This section of path had been identified as a pinch point and safety hazard for cyclist and pedestrians but this new bridge will eliminate the previous bottleneck,” he said.
“Shared paths are a crucial part of our planning. They are good for our health and the environment, make our villages and town centres more accessible and reduce traffic congestion.”
The council received funding from Transport for NSW’s B-Line project to improve pedestrian and cycle links along Pittwater Rd.
When the new bridge is opened cyclists will not have to dismount and can ride along the shared path.
Pedestrians only will still be able to use the path on the Pittwater Rd bridge.
Gallery of construction from February 2022 to October 28 2022:
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