Walker Street – Pedestrian Crossing and Footpath construction

Mount Alexander Shire is focused on improving safety, accessibility and encouraging walking throughout the towns within the shire by continuing to improve its footpath network.

As part of this focus Mount Alexander Shire Council has completed a design for pedestrian crossing points on Walker Street, Castlemaine. This also includes a sealed footpath on the southern side of Walker Street connecting the pedestrian crossing at the railway line to the existing sealed path at the bridge crossing at Barkers Creek.

The aim of this project is to enable connectivity through a well maintained, safe and accessible footpath network, and pedestrian crossings. Poor quality footpath assets create risks for pedestrians and cyclists accessing key activity centres.

This project will construct safe and well illuminated pedestrian crossing points linking 'The Mill' to the Castlemaine Botanical Gardens.

As Castlemaine continues to increase in population more people will be looking to utilise public areas for events and meeting locations. This increases the need to ensure that pedestrians have safe access between popular tourist attractions.

This project involves the construction of:
- A sealed pathway (1.5m asphalt footpath) between railway lines to the existing sealed path at the bridge crossing at
Barkers Creek
- Improved pedestrian connectivity to 'The Mill' and Castlemaine Botanical Gardens
- Increased visibility along Walker Street where pedestrians cross, including installation of street lighting
- Upgrade/installation of pedestrian crossings in Walker Street

The design for this project has been completed in 2021, construction is anticipated to commence in April 2023, the target date for completion is May 2023.

The works may impact pedestrian access along Walker Street and surrounding footpaths. Traffic management will be utilised to ensure pedestrians can continue to use Walker Street and access 'The Mill' during working hours. There will be after hours worksite traffic management restrictions in place.

The works will include the installation of new footpaths, pedestrian crossings, street lighting, disabled car parks and new pedestrian bridges.

Council anticipates the majority works will be completed by the end of May 2023 with street lighting expected to be completed by June 2023.

Dale Baker - Project Engineer
Email: d.baker@mountalexander.vic.gov.au