July 2011. As part of the Brighton Bypass project, a 2.5m wide multi-user path has been constructed along the western side of the bypass between Bridgewater and a location approximately 1km south of the Brighton township (shown in red on the map).
Brighton Council has started constructing a multi-user path along the Midland Hwy in Brighton township with the intention to eventually link up with Pontville. The Council-built path has been constructed between Elderslie Rd and Andrew St (shown in red) and a second section of pathway between Bedford St and Butler St (also shown in red on the map). The missing section between the Brighton Bakehouse and Bedford St will be constructed by Brighton Council when DIER hands over responsibility for the road to Brighton Council on completion of the bypass.
There is an important missing section of the pathway between the DIER constructed section and the Brighton Council constructed section which requires path users to travel along the busy shoulders of the Midland Hwy (shown as a dotted blue line on the map). Until a pathway of equal standard to the existing sections is constructed residents of Brighton are cut-off from the new section of path that leads to Bridgewater.
Cycling South met with DIER and Brighton Council officers to discuss the need for the missing 1km section to be completed in order for the pathways to meet their full potential. DIER currently owns the road but will hand over responsibility to Brighton Council once the Brighton Bypass is complete and the Midland Hwy is diverted around the township.
The path starts on the Old Main Rd in Bridgewater where a new railway crossing has been constructed. This section is gravel and of low-quality construction.
From the Fruit Market the quality of the path improves significantly with a smooth concrete cycleway constructed adjacent to the service road.
An underpass provides a connection from the eastern side of the Midland Hwy to the pathway.
There are 3 crossing points on the pathway.
The path is located above the new section of the Midland Hwy (Brighton Bypass) and away from the traffic.
The path ends approximately 1km from Brighton township.
Brighton to Pontville Section (July 2011)
Brighton Council has constructed two sections of pathway alongside the Midland Hwy in Brighton township.
