During construction of the new bridge, the Maribyrnong River Trail between the Canning Street bridge and M102 water pipe bridge will be closed. Public safety is our number one priority – the closure of the trail is necessary to ensure the safety of the community and our workers while works are underway.

We have been working with Moonee Valley City Council and Bicycle Network Victoria to ensure temporary detour routes are safe and suitable.

Recommended detours will be signed. You can view the detour map here.

Temporary closure of Maribyrnong River Trail | MRM to North Western Sewer Connection | Your Say | Melbourne Water (Logged in)

Works are scheduled to commence on the new bridge by the middle of 2022. Once the connecting pathways are complete and the area is reinstated, the bridge will be open for use. We expect this to occur by early 2024.

In the meantime, the existing M102 water pipe bridge will remain open and the Maribyrnong River Trail will re-open to the public once the bridge works have been completed and it’s safe for pedestrians to move through the area. This will be before the opening of the new bridge and new shared user path.

Some noise is expected from trucks, reversing beepers, machinery and other equipment.

While the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) won’t cause noticeable noise or vibration because of its depth below ground (up to 30-40 metres), there will be some noise from machinery and equipment at the Williamson Road site; noise reducing barriers will be used to minimise disruption to residents.

Strict control measures will be in place to ensure construction noise is well managed. Controls will include:

• Using materials and equipment that reduce noise at all work sites
• Planning noisy works at times of least disruption and inconvenience, and always providing advanced notice to surrounding residents and businesses
• Monitoring noise levels and implementing appropriate further mitigation measures where necessary
• Installing noise reducing barriers at the Williamson Road site where 24-hour works are required.

Shaft excavation, piling (foundations that are driven or bored through the ground) and other activities may cause some minor vibration. While we do not expect vibration to impact nearby properties, we will:

• Undertake predictive modelling to determine the extent of where vibration may be felt
• Complete pre-condition property surveys where properties may be affected by vibration-causing activities
• Limit high vibration-causing activities to standard construction hours where possible
• Implement measures to minimise vibration where possible
• Meet strict vibration standards and requirements
• Monitor vibration levels at all times. Monitoring data will be used to check that vibration levels are consistent with predictive modelling.

The Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) at the Williamson Road site will operate 24-hours a day Monday to Saturday, but won’t cause noticeable noise or vibration because of its depth below ground (up to 30-40 metres).

Night works will be required for short durations for connections to the existing sewers, and extended work hours may be required when completing some critical work activities. Affected residents and businesses will be notified of this in advance.

You may notice more frequent vehicle activity on local roads, including trucks and other heavy vehicles. At times, streets may be temporarily closed for a short period to allow for vehicle movements or tunnelling activity. Traffic management plans will be in place to assist motorists, pedestrians and cyclists during these times.

Mitigation measures will be implemented to reduce dirt and dust from our work sites. These will include: wetting down vehicle tracks and spoil stockpiles; covering dirt and rock when being transported off site by trucks; wheel wash stations to minimise dirt leaving work sites; and regular street sweeping to maintain the condition of local streets.

We know the community love and cherish the natural environment, especially trees and other vegetation. They contribute towards amenity, shade and habitat for birds, insects and other animals.

As part of our planning for the project, we have completed flora and fauna assessments to understand what plants and animals are in the area, how they may be affected, and how they can be protected as much as possible during the works.

The project has undergone a careful design process to avoid as many trees and shrubs as possible, including working with independent ecologists, arborists and Council. However some vegetation, including large trees, will need to be removed to undertake the works. We may also need to trim branches where trees are located in close proximity to work areas.

It is Melbourne Water’s intention to protect and retain as many of these as we can. Throughout the detailed design process for the project, we will continue to look at how we can avoid impacts to any native vegetation, while still being able to construct the sewer infrastructure.

Wherever possible, logs and vegetation material from lopped trees will be mulched or kept for re-use by Council for local garden beds and/or as habitat. After the works have been completed, extensive re-planting will be undertaken.

The project area is located within the Traditional Lands of the Wurundjeri People. The Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation – the Registered Aboriginal Party – is the formally recognised organisation responsible for representing Traditional Owner rights and interests in the area.

Melbourne Water is committed to working in partnership with the Wurundjeri to ensure a meaningful on-going contribution to the future management of the Maribyrnong River and its environs. The Wurundjeri has and will continue to be involved in the Cultural Heritage Management Plan for this project, including their archaeologists guiding the process and consulting with Elders.