Projects

Upfield Shared Use Path - extension and refurbishment works

We’re improving safety and connectivity for bike riders and walkers on the Upfield Shared Use Path (SUP) between the Western Ring Road in Fawkner and O’Hea Street in Coburg North.

Project status:

Underway

Project Update - May 2026

Upfield SUP extension

Works to repair a collapsed Melbourne Water stormwater drain near the Upfield SUP extension are now complete and works on the path extension have resumed.

The path extension works are expected to be complete by August 2026.

We thank the community for its patience while this issue was resolved.

What to expect during works

The new path is being built on land near the Upfield railway line and won’t impact bike riders and walkers using the existing Upfield SUP and M80 SUP.

Temporary fencing has been installed to create a safe work zone for crews.

Crews are working during the day between 7am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

The Upfield SUP will connect to the M80 SUP approximately 50 metres west from the Upfield railway bridge over the Western Ring Road.

Lighting upgrades between Fawkner Station and Box Forest Road complete

Image showing the lighting upgrades between Fawkner Station and Box Forest Road

Image: The new lighting in operation on the Upfield SUP

Works to install solar-powered lighting along the path between Fawkner Station and Box Forest Road are now complete.

The new lighting will improve safety at night for everyone using the path.

Next steps

Bike symbols (sharrows) and signage on Sages Road

Once the new path has been constructed, we’ll install bike symbols (sharrows) and ‘watch for cyclists’ signage on Sages Road to reflect the shared road environment.

We'll keep the community informed about timeframes and impacts closer to the start of these works.

What we're doing

Works underway

We’re connecting the Upfield SUP between Box Forest Road and the Western Ring Road to improve safety and connectivity to the M80 SUP for bike riders and walkers.

As part of these works, we will:

construct a new shared use path from the northern end of Sages Road to the M80 SUP
install lighting along the new path
install bike symbols (sharrows) and signage on Sages Road to reflect the shared road environment

Works complete

Lighting upgrades on the existing Upfield SUP to improve safety at night for all path users, including:

solar-powered LED bollards installed between Spry Street and Bakers Road, and Rogers Street and O’Hea Street.
solar-powered lighting installed between Fawkner Station and Box Forest Road.

Project map

Image of map showing the areas of works along the Upfield shared path

Click to enlarge

Box Forest Road pedestrian operated crossing

Plans to install a pedestrian operated crossing on Box Forest Road, near Sages Road, are under further investigation.

Due to the proximity of the proposed crossing to the existing rail corridor, delivery of these works requires complex planning and coordination with Metro Trains Melbourne.

Project benefits

We’re upgrading the Upfield SUP to create a safer and better-connected route for bike riders and walkers travelling through Melbourne’s north.

Providing safer options for bike riding and walking encourages more people to choose active transport for everyday trips within their neighbourhood.

The Upfield SUP attracts around 2,500 bike riders and walkers on a daily basis and is one of the most popular bike riding and walking paths in Melbourne.

By upgrading and refurbishing the SUP, we’re improving connections from Melbourne’s north to key active transport routes such as the Merri Creek Trail, Moonee Ponds Creek Trail and the Capital City Trail.

Upgrading the SUP will provide healthy transport options for people, while supporting Victoria’s Transport Sector Emissions Reduction Pledge.

Environmental impacts

We understand the complex balance of connecting communities whilst caring for our natural environment.

We’re committed to performing our works in a thoughtful and considered way to reduce the impact on the environment.

We share the value the community places on the environment and have worked hard to minimise disturbance to native wildlife and vegetation.

Some vegetation needs to be removed to construct the new path.

We’ll ensure all works are undertaken in accordance with a Construction Environmental Management Plan to minimise environmental impacts.

Supporting works completed nearby

lighting upgrades on the existing Upfield SUP between Boundary Road and Shorts Road, delivered as part of the Car Park for Commuters program by the Level Crossing Removal Project (LXRP).
a new 40km/h speed limit on Sages Road, delivered as part of Merri-bek City Council’s ‘Safer speed rollout on local roads’ project. The new speed limit creates a calmer, shared street environment and will complement the path extension works.