Rhett Burnie
HORSE riders, cyclists and walkers will be forced to cross a busy intersection on the Goulburn Valley Highway in Tallarook when the Goulburn River High Country Rail Trail opens next month.
The trail, which spans from Tallarook to Mansfield, is expected to be operational by next month.
Under plans approved by VicRoads and Mitchell Shire Council, users will need to cross the intersection of Upper Goulburn Road and the Goulburn Valley Highway to continue to Trawool.
Tallarook resident Brian Wilson lives near the trail and said he holds grave concerns for the safety of people trying to cross the high speed intersection.
“I’m very supportive of it (the rail trail) but this part is dangerous,” he said.
“It’s a main road.
“If you come from Yea and you have to turn at that corner (into Upper Goulburn Road), you have to go around fast,” he said.
Mr Wilson also raised concerns with the width of the trail, which narrows to just four metres for approximately five kilometres along the Upper Goulburn Road.
“It goes from being fenced on one side where you can ride (a horse) off the verge, to both sides being fenced,” he said.
He said horses could easily be spooked by passing cyclists.
“If they rear up they could come back down onto one of the star pickets (on the fence).”
But Goulburn River High Country Rail Trail project manager Ian Geer said the there was no issue with the trail being fenced on both sides.
Meanwhile, VicRoads regional director of north eastern Victoria Graham Freestone said the crossing has been deemed safe.
He said an option to construct a crossing under the bridge at the intersection would have been ‘hazardous’.
“This option was considered inappropriate as it is not the most direct route and there is a potentially hazardous incline on either side of the bridge,” Mr Freestone said.
He said safety measures are taken at each crossing location to ensure “suitable sight distance and the installation of advance warning signs.”
“Considerations also included reviewing safety where the trail meets the Upper Goulburn Road and the Goulburn Valley Highway,” Mr Freestone said.
‘Road ahead’ warning signs have also been installed along the trail.
The rail trail is expected to be opened to the public in early December.
