Exiting Kalkallo’s Cloverton estate has become easier, following the opening of the Wilam Wiinji Bridge late last year.
The $16 million bridge forms part of a second access point to the estate.
As reported by Star Weekly, residents had only one way in and out of the Cloverton estate – Dwyer Street– resulting in extensive traffic delays during the morning peak.
The 390 metre-long bridge connects Klandy Drive and Donnybrook Road.
Estate developer Stockland said the second access point will help to ease congestion and improve traffic flow by providing two-way car access.
Stockland development director James Hawker said the bridge is a key piece of transport infrastructure to support the needs of the growing Cloverton community.
“We understand the importance of the bridge to the community and this secondary access point will help residents get to and from their homes and work, sooner,” he said.
The bridge was funded by Stockland in partnership with Hume and Whittlesea councils and was built in conjunction with both councils, as well as Melbourne Water and the state Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.
Kalkallo MP Ros Spence said the bridge would help provide traffic relief on Dwyer Street while planning is underway for the Donnybrook Road upgrade.
The bridge has been designed with two dry culverts and two wet culverts under the bridge to provide a safe passageway of the Merri Creek fauna including the Growling Grass Frog, which is known to reside in the Merri Creek.
The Indigenous name Wilam Wiinj means ‘campfire’ and references the campfires seen along the banks of the Merri Creek – which the bridge crosses – by explorers William Hovell and Hamilton Hume in the early 1800s.
Stockland has worked with the Wurundjeri people and local artists Aunty Kim Wandin and Chris Joy from Murrup Biik to design a steel sculpture of a campfire at the northern end of the bridge.
The sculpture, fabricated and installed by Jason Waterhouse from Sculpture Co, represents families meeting together, sharing a meal, and keeping warm in the cold climate.
