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Some of the graffiti<br />
on the historic<br />
bluestone bridge<br />
BRIDGE OVER KOROROIT CREEK<br />
AT ALTONA COASTAL PARK<br />
For some time, I have advocated for the shared trail crossing at the Kororoit Creek ford<br />
in Altona Road, Altona, to be replaced with a bridge so that a continuous path may<br />
be made available for pedestrians and cyclists, rather than the current situation which<br />
forces them to traverse the dangerous, swiftly-trafficked Kororoit Creek and Millers<br />
Roads as an alternative route, during floods.<br />
In 1873, a substantial all-weather bridge crossing – which supplied horse-and-carriage<br />
and pedestrian traffic access to the Williamstown Racecourse – was constructed over<br />
this section of Kororoit Creek. Unfortunately for local users, this bridge was lost during<br />
floods many years ago and never replaced.<br />
HISTORIC BROOKLYN BLUESTONE BRIDGE<br />
When the shared trail is ultimately built between Geelong Road and Barnes Road, it<br />
will cross the heritage-listed historic Brooklyn Bluestone Bridge, built in the 1880s. This<br />
most important and charming bridge forms the gateway to Hobsons Bay and the shared<br />
trail crossing will only add appeal for the visitors who come regularly to see our city’s<br />
many notable environmental features.<br />
At present, the bridge is being passively damaged through neglect and lack of<br />
maintenance and, due to its location being slightly ‘off-the-beaten-track’ – that is,<br />
adjacent to a busy freeway and not easily viewed from the nearest lanes – the valuable<br />
bluestone pitchers continue to be vandalised with unsightly graffiti.<br />
<strong>FOLKC</strong> has requested HBCC consider installing solar lighting on both sides of the<br />
bridge so that it can be more easily seen by passing Westgate and Geelong Freeway<br />
traffic – thus improving security whilst also providing proper, illuminated exposure for<br />
this magnificent and rare local asset to all passers-by. As a resource, this lighting will<br />
be required for the intended shared path anyway, for the safety of users. In the future,<br />
<strong>FOLKC</strong> believes that HBCC and VicRoads will need to work together to improve<br />
security and ensure that this invaluable cultural asset is preserved and protected.<br />
A section of the crossing with the bridge visible (see INSET) at Williamstown Racecourse<br />
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