Suburban Rail Loop: Footbridge planned over Burwood Hwy at Deakin Uni Burwood

One of Whitehorse’s busiest roads will get a new addition as part of a future rail project, with details of its expected environmental impact to be announced.

A new overpass across Burwood Highway to Deakin University is to be built as part of the Suburban Rail Loop. Pictures: Janine Eastgate

A massive footbridge to keep pedestrians and cyclists safe will be built across Burwood Highway as part of the Suburban Rail Loop project.

Leader can reveal the footbridge has been included in planning for the $34b first stage of the rail project to link the underground Burwood SRL station with Deakin University.

The station is set to be built on land opposite the university between McComas Grove and Sinnott St.

The affected area includes homes on McCormas Grove, a playground on Sinnot St and part of a site used by power supplier Zinfra.

The proposed footprint of the Burwood SRL station and an overpass on Burwood Highway. Picture: Suburban Rail Loop Authority.

The university had strongly advocated for separated pedestrian and cycling links across the busy highway, stating it was “imperative to creating a safe and accessible public transport hub for the area”.

Deakin’s director of masterplanning, timetabling and property, Yvonne Yip, said the university welcomed the footbridge as it would “improve pedestrian safety and minimise traffic disruption”.

Suburban Rail Loop Minister Jacinta Allan said using the footbridge would be two minutes quicker for pedestrians compared with crossing traffic on Burwood Highway.

It will also include a connection to the Route 75 tram which travels along Burwood Highway between Burwood and Vermont South.

“Passenger experience is at the heart of our designs for SRL stations, and direct connections with existing stations and easy interchanges with other public transport mean using the network will be quick, easy and safe,” she said.

The SRLA could not provide details on the cost of the bridge or provide artist impressions.

It is set to reveal the locations of other overpasses on the SRL East route and the full environmental impact of the project in early November.

The project’s Environmental Impact Statement will be a fully digital and interactive document containing videos, maps, images and technical reports.

Ms Allan said communities were critical in helping the authority deliver the project and it was making it “easier than ever for them to find out more and have their say”.

Construction for the first stage of Suburban Rail Loop between Cheltenham and Box Hill is set to begin next year and be completed by 2035.