Case study: West Creek Cycleway underpass
The West Creek Cycleway underpass at James Street in Toowoomba provides a safe and direct connection for people walking and riding bikes along the West Creek Cycleway.
The underpass was delivered cost-effectively as part of a culvert upgrade to create a direct and safe separated crossing and was welcomed by the community.
The West Creek Cycleway underpass is an example of the effective application of the department's Cycling Infrastructure Policy , which requires Transport and Main Roads funded projects on the Principal Cycle Network to explicitly provide cycling facilities within the project's scope.
Situation
The West Creek Cycleway in Toowoomba is a principal cycle route in the Downs South West Principal Cycle Network Plan.
A joint Transport and Main Roads and Toowoomba Regional Council review was conducted into the cycling provisions at locations where principal cycle routes intersect with state-controlled roads. The West Creek/James Street (Toowoomba Connection Road) intersection was identified as a significant barrier to people riding bikes in the community.
Bike riders and pedestrians travelling in a north-south direction on the West Creek Cycleway were required to cross James Street at the James Street/Prescott Street signalised intersection, located 30m west of the cycleway. This caused delays and increased the safety risk for people riding and walking across a heavily trafficked road.
Solution
In considering Transport and Main Roads Cycling Infrastructure Policy, an active transport underpass was identified as a fit-for-purpose facility to fill this critical missing link in the West Creek Cycleway.
The underpass installation was integrated with the culvert upgrade works taking place in the same location. By combining the 2 projects, the underpass was constructed cost-effectively compared to being delivered as a separate project later.
The project is located in a high-traffic area, and was adjacent to a culvert that created design and construction challenges relating to safety and flooding. To address these issues, and ensure a high-quality and safe environment for underpass users, the project installed:
- lighting and closed circuit television cameras in the underpass to improve visibility and security
- an electrical pump system to help prevent the underpass from flooding and to ensure the underpass remains open to people walking and riding bikes.
The West Creek Cycleway underpass at James Street was completed in February 2021, delivering a grade-separated crossing dedicated to people riding bicycles and walking.
Outcomes and benefits
In delivering this vital active transport link between the southern suburbs of Toowoomba and the Toowoomba central business district, the West Creek Cycleway underpass has:
- maximised safety for people walking and riding bikes by safely separating them from road traffic, especially heavy vehicles and buses
- reduced travel times for path users by removing the need to cross at the busy James Street intersection
- provided a direct and time efficient journey for people walking and riding along the West Creek Cycleway, particularly the link between the University of Southern Queensland campus at Darling Heights and the Toowoomba central business district
- improved connectivity for people walking and riding between surrounding amenities adjacent to the cycleway, including the Toowoomba Hospital, local markets and the Police-Citizens Youth Clubs
- created an uninterrupted north-south route for commuter and recreational bike riders of all ages and abilities.
Following construction of the underpass, Toowoomba Regional Council interviewed locals to find out how the underpass improved their bike riding experience. Hear what they had to say on the Toowoomba Region's Facebook page
- Last updated 19 April 2024