What we are seeking
Victorian Government investment of $5 million to construct a new Odenwald Road Bridge across the Hurstbridge Railway Line, and to include provision for safe pedestrian access.
What it will deliver
A new Odenwald Bridge will enable pedestrians to access shops and services in Ivanhoe safely without having to negotiate traffic to get across the Hurstbridge Railway Line.
With no current path across the railway line, pedestrians have no choice but to cross by walking down the busy road.
Additionally, the bridge has been deemed structurally unsound and a load limit has been placed on it. Essential service vehicles such as garbage trucks and delivery vans exceeding this limit are regularly seen traversing the bridge as it is the only road in to access the area. A structurally sound Odenwald Bridge will enable a safe transport route for all vehicles.
What you can do
To help us deliver this priority, you can write to our Lower House Member of Parliament for this electorate or any of our Upper House Members of Parliament for their commitment to deliver funding for this project.
Overview
The Odenwald Road Bridge, originally built in the 1800s for horse carriages, is the only road bridge and pedestrian access connecting residences in Eaglemont with the nearby Heidelberg and Ivanhoe Activity Centres.
The narrow 2-way bridge does not have a separated footpath for pedestrians and is a major safety concern for residents of the area.
Traffic surveillance reports show vehicles approaching the bridge from both directions at speeds of up to 50km/h with limited vision for pedestrians crossing at the same time.
The ageing infrastructure was also never built to accommodate such large and heavy volumes of traffic.
Recent traffic indicates that approximately 3,300 vehicles travel across the bridge daily, with more than 300 vehicles during peak hour.
A 2021 audit of the bridge identified that its structural integrity is not capable of carrying heavy vehicles, and a 14-tonne load limit was placed on the bridge. Despite the signage, vehicles above the load limit have still been observed using the bridge due to limited alternative routes in the area.