Improving safety for pedestrians on Auburn Road

About the project

The Department of Transport and Planning is investing $61.6 million over multiple years to continue supporting active transport projects and initiatives across the state. This includes investigating a safer pedestrian crossing between the Auburn Station rail bridge and Queens Avenue in Hawthorn.

There is high demand for pedestrians on Auburn Road due to Auburn Railway Station, bus stops for Route 624 and surrounding shops. There is currently no signalised crossing near Auburn Station leading to people crossing the road unsafely.

Project update

We’ve consulted with the community on our proposed design since June 2023. We promoted the project via letter drops, social media and doorknocks.

In response to resident and trader feedback we undertook further surveys on parking demand in the area, finding that demand did not exceed supply during peak times.

We also undertook intercept surveys to understand people’s main mode of travel to Auburn Road. We found that the main mode of travel to Auburn Road was walking at 45%, followed by driving at 42%.

Since then, we’ve worked with Boroondara City Council and revised our design in response to community feedback.

The updated design reduces parking loss from 10 to five car parks. We're also investigating the possibility of reinstating two to three car parks nearby on Auburn Road.

Understanding what’s important to the community at this early stage is essential so that we can design an effective solution, which meets the needs of the local community. 

What we’re proposing following community feedback:

• Installing a raised signalised crossing south of the Auburn Station rail overpass
• Removing up to five car parks to enable the signalised crossing between Victoria Street and Queens Avenue 
• Exploring the possibility of reinstating two to three car parks near the intersection of Auburn Road and Queens Avenue
• Widening the footpath near the signalised crossing to provide more space for pedestrians.

These improvements will:

• Improve safety and connectivity for people on Auburn Road
• Offer a safe crossing place for pedestrians on Auburn Road
• Encourage the uptake of walking and bike riding for community members
• Better connect to the shops and public transport on both sides of Auburn Road
• A high-quality pedestrian network is a fundamental building block of the transport network and helps people make active transport choices that reduce transport congestion, minimise emissions and support vibrant economic precincts.

Next steps

Construction will begin early 2025. We will inform the community when works are to begin.

Improving active transport

Creating safer roads, intersections and crossings for pedestrians and bike riders will help save lives and encourage people to use active modes of transport. When pedestrians and bike riders are involved in a crash with a vehicle, they’re at a higher risk of being severely injured or killed.

Improving walking and bike riding connections that enable more Victorians to walk or get on their bike for everyday trips supports the climate change pledge of 25% active transport mode share by 2030.

If 50% of short vehicle trips were switched to riding a bike or walking, the Victorian economy would save $165million every year in congestion, health, infrastructure, and environmental costs.