#ThrowbackThursday – Today we time travel back to 1986. Traffic congestion in and out of the district is heavy. Currently 38,000 vehicles per day use Grimshaw Street and Main Street, Greensborough, and it is estimated that half these vehicles are through traffic. The Government has initiated a plan to construct a 5.5km bypass of the Greensborough Commercial Centre
from Lenola Street, Macleod to Diamond Creek Road, Greensborough. The bypass will relieve the existing heavily congested sections of these roads, reduce travel time for motorists passing through the area, and improve safety and conditions for shoppers, residents and local traffic.
The bypass will be constructed in two stages. The first 3.5 km stage, from Diamond Creek Road to Grimshaw Street, will be constructed as a single two lane, two-way road with climbing lanes for east-bound traffic north of Kempston Street and east of Plenty River.
Looking northeast across the new 5-span bridge construction across the Plenty River; Greensborough Bypass construction, c.1986. Shows the intersection on the left for the future Northern Ring Road connection. (From the collection of Eltham District Historical Society.)
The second 2 km stage, from Grimshaw Street to Greensborough Road/Lenola Street, is being constructed as a divided road.
Looking south towards Grimshaw Street, Greensbrorough; Greensborough Bypass construction, c.1986. This view is taken from near the future intersection of the Northern Ring Road looking south along the Bypass towards Grimshaw Street which can be seen running horizontally across the view. (From the collection of Eltham District Historical Society.)
Drainage and earthworks continued during the year on the first stage and work commenced on the construction of a five span composite steel and concrete bridge over Plenty River.
Looking east across the new 5-span bridge construction across the Plenty River from the western side; Greensborough Bypass construction, c.1986. (From the collection of Eltham District Historical Society.)Looking east across the new bridge construction across the Plenty River from the western side up to the new roundabout at Civic Drive; Greensborough Bypass construction, c.1986. (From the collection of Eltham District Historical Society.)Looking east across the new bridge construction across the Plenty River from the western side up to the new roundabout at Civic Drive; Greensborough Bypass construction, c.1986. (From the collection of Eltham District Historical Society.)Looking east across the new 5-span bridge construction across the Plenty River; Greensborough Bypass construction, c.1986. (From the collection of Eltham District Historical Society.)Looking east across the new 5-span bridge construction across the Plenty River; Greensborough Bypass construction, c.1986. (From the collection of Eltham District Historical Society.)Looking east across the new 5-span bridge construction across the Plenty River; Greensborough Bypass construction, c.1986. (From the collection of Eltham District Historical Society.)Looking east across the new 5-span bridge construction across the Plenty River; Greensborough Bypass construction, c.1986. (From the collection of Eltham District Historical Society.)
A roundabout at the intersection of Diamond Creek Road and Civic Drive, where the bypass is to terminate was completed during the year.
Looking east along the newly sealed road from the pedestrian overpass to the new roundabout at Civic Drive; Greensborough Bypass construction, c.1986. (From the collection of Eltham District Historical Society.)Looking west along the newly sealed road from the pedestrian overpass; Greensborough Bypass construction, c.1986. (From the collection of Eltham District Historical Society.)Looking east from the new bridge towards the newly completed pedestrian overpass and the roundabout at the end of the Bypass at Civic Drive; Greensborough Bypass construction, c.1986. Note the two cyclists riding along the newly sealed road up the hill. (From the collection of Eltham District Historical Society.)Looking west across the new bridge construction across the Plenty River from the eastern side; Greensborough Bypass construction, c.1986. Shows the service access road on the hill side which would later be cut away to provide the connection to the Northern Ring Road which was opened in April 1994. (From the collection of Eltham District Historical Society.)Looking east across the new 5-span bridge construction across the Plenty River; Greensborough Bypass construction, c.1986. The east side lanes of the Bypass and Bridge were the first stage. (From the collection of Eltham District Historical Society.)
Work commenced on the second stage late in the year with the construction of a deviation of Greensborough Road near Watsonia Railway Station to allow work to commence on the new road over rail structure. The project is estimated to cost $18 million and be completed in early 1989.
Looking southwest from the location of the new overpass being constructed over the railway line near Watsonia Railway station; Greensborough Bypass construction, c.1986. (From the collection of Eltham District Historical Society.)
Reference: 1986, Parliament of Victoria, “Report of the Road Construction Authority for the Year ended 30 June 1986”, No. 124, p15, <www.parliament.vic.gov.au/papers/govpub/VPARL1985-87No124.pdf>
Eltham District Historical Society Inc. 