Historic Plenty River bridge repurposed

Yan Yean MP Lauren Kathage with children from Kiddy Palace Learning Centre and teacher Preeti on the new path over the repurposed bluestone bridge during their visit to the project site. (Supplied)

Doreen’s historic Plenty River road bridge has put to use as a walking and cycling bridge following the completion of major work on Bridge Inn Road.

The repurposed bridge was given the thumbs up from children at Kiddy Palace Learning Centre in Mernda, who went on a guided walk over the bridge on November 1.

Guided by the Major Road Projects Victoria (MRPV) team and Yan Yean MP Lauren Kathage, the kids had the chance to explore the new paths created as part of the road upgrade.

“I had a great time with the children, parents and staff from Kiddy Palace, trying out a section of the new walking and cycling paths built as part of the Bridge Inn Road upgrade,” Ms Kathage said.

“On the bluestone Plenty River bridge, which has been repurposed for cyclists and pedestrians, the children were busy trying to spot platypus in the river.”

MRPV program director Dipal Sorathia said the upgrade strived to create new and upgraded paths and safer pedestrian crossing points, including the signalised school crossing near Ivanhoe Grammar School.

“Helping provide better active transport connections for the area’s growing population is a vital part of our work on the Bridge Inn Road upgrade,” he said.

The project team completed major works on the road upgrade ahead of schedule, with the important milestone initially scheduled for 2025.

Crews will continue undertaking minor works including landscaping and other finishing works along Bridge Inn Road over the coming months.

For the safety of crews completing these works, some lane and side-road closures will be in place on Bridge Inn Road at certain times.