Cycle spin-off from Koombana Drive repair
Cyclists and drivers could together safely use one of the main entries into Bunbury's city centre under a plan to be considered by Bunbury City Council.
Koombana Drive is to be upgraded by the council because of concerns it is eroding into Leschenault Inlet.
The preferred option for the upgrade of Koombana Drive includes a dedicated bike lane on either side of the road.
In the next few weeks, city councillors will be shown a number of options for repairing a 600 metre stretch of one of Bunbury's arterial road entries.
But the preferred option of council staff, revealed in a briefing session last week, is to install two bike lanes on a widened road.
Under this plan, street lights would be built in the middle of the road and pedestrian access would continue along an upgraded George Baxter Boardwalk.
Bunbury Triathlon Club president David Offer said any improvement to cycling areas would be welcomed.
"The frustration between cyclists and motorists comes when there is not enough room," he said.
"But if there is a bit more space and enough room for everyone, it takes away that angst."
The council's director of works and services, Phil Harris, told last week's council briefing that staff did not agree with Main Roads' suggestion for Koombana Drive to become a dual-lane road.
Mr Harris pointed out that the the Department of Planning had supported a future light rail line, which has been accommodated for on vacant land alongside Koombana Drive.
A report by infrastructure and environmental services company Cardno found Koombana Drive was deteriorating and eroding into the Leschenault Inlet.
Mayor Gary Brennan said work was urgently needed but the council would need to borrow money.
Mr Brennan said the work would cost "several million dollars" - though Main Roads had promised to fund part of the cost.
"I was aware as Mayor that Koombana Drive itself was sliding more and more into the inlet and the George Baxter Boardwalk was deteriorating and needed an upgrade," he said.
The council said the road would not have to be closed during the repairs, as reported in the Bunbury Herald this week.
Traffic management could allow one lane to remain open during roadwork.
