Harding Street Bridge Replacement

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Darebin and Merri-bek Councils are working together to replace and upgrade the Harding Street Bridge to make it safer, more accessible and more user friendly.

Why are we upgrading the Harding Street Bridge?

Harding Street bridge is a timber suspension-style bridge over the Merri Creek. It opened in 1985 and features a 1.2-metre-wide timber deck that spans approximately 77 metres. The bridge provides a great view from which to observe the creek, and is an important link in the network of walking and bike riding paths in Coburg and Preston.

As more people discover the joys of walking, cycling and immersing themselves in nature, the need for improvements to this bridge has become increasingly apparent.

Community members report that the bridge is too narrow and creates difficulties passing other users, and both Merri-bek City Council and Darebin City Council have raised concerns over safety issues and potential user conflicts. In addition, the bridge has reached the end of its life, which results in high maintenance costs.

In June 2020 we hired a consultant to do a feasibility study of the bridge. The study determined that the existing bridge should be replaced.

What benefits will the upgrade bring?

Following our last community consultation on this project, we have made changes to the design of the new bridge.

One major change is the alignment of the bridge. The proposed design now sits at a 45-degree angle just south of the existing bridge.

This change in alignment addresses a number of community concerns. These include:

  • minimising the time that the bridge will need to be closed during construction

  • creating better path connections from Merri-bek to Darebin by removing the existing dogleg bend near Kendall Street

  • assisting in better connections to the Merri Creek Trail, with the inclusion of stairs and smooth path connections

The new bridge will be 4 metres wide, which the majority of community members who took part in our engagement noted this as their preferred width.

Creating better access for people with disability or other mobility concerns remains a priority, and we continue to work to achieve the best possible path connections during this design phase.

We are also looking to reduce the 'visual bulk' of the bridge, based on community feedback, ie. a more transparent bridge.

Consultations

Following the 2020 feasibility study and 2021 community engagement the following decisions have been made. These decisions are also in line with relevant engineering standards.

  • Harding Street bridge will be replaced.

  • The new bridge will feature a truss style design.

  • The bridge will sit at an angle, just south of the existing bridge.

  • The railing of the bridge will be 1.4m high and the truss structure sides will be 3m high.

  • The new bridge will be realigned on the western end.

  • The new bridge will feature an improvement of the dog-leg bend on the eastern end. This will allow better path connections for bike riders and pedestrians.

  • The bridge will be 4m wide.

  • Goodwin Street will become the main access point on the eastern side of the bridge.

Project timeline

  • Undertake feasibility study and develop concept plan

  • Consultation (draft concept plan)

  • Update concept plan – February 2024

  • Concept design – April 2024

  • Complete detailed design – December 2025

  • Call for name suggestions – March – April 2026

  • Community to vote on name shortlist – TBC

  • Construction of bridge – Mid 2026

What to expect during construction

As the new bridge will have a different alignment, the old bridge will remain while construction of the new bridge commences.

We will work closely with the contractor to ensure that access during construction are minimised and that people can use the old bridge safely.

Questions or feedback?

Merri-bek Council is leading this project, with more information available at the Conversations Merri-bek website.

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