Missing links – Cadigal Reserve & Parramatta Rd underpass

What are we doing in this area?

The upgrades to Cadigal Reserve in Summer Hill include:

A new path and upgraded natural areas
Upgraded landscaping and ecological restoration
Creation of new 3.5m wide shared path
Installation of new bat-friendly smart path lights
New nature play area
Installation of public art
Installation of rest stop
Wayfinding signage
Access ramp into Hawthorne Canal
New shared path bridge across Hawthorne Canal
Resurfacing of the existing path on the western side of Hawthorne Canal
New tunnel under Longport Street
Microbat protective tunnel design

When are we doing this?

Construction in the Cadigal Reserve area around Parramatta Road and Longport Street commenced in January 2024 and is anticipated to be completed in 2025.

Cadigal Reserve closure

In order to complete these upgrades, Cadigal Reserve including the dog park and the parking lot are closed during comstruction. Detours and traffic management are in place.

A new fenced off-leash dog park will be created on the western side of Lewisham West light rail station, easily accessible via the GreenWay path. Alternative off-leash dog parks can be found on council’s website: innerwest.nsw.gov.au/live/active-inner-west

Construction access through Hawthorne Canal via Marion Street

Construction access to complete the upgrades, is through the Hawthorne Canal via the Marion Street ramp. A temporary ramp is in place within Cadigal Reserve during construction from January 2024 to 2025. The footbridge over Hawthorne Canal (near the Lords Road pedestrian tunnel in Leichhardt) has been temporarily removed from October 2024 during the works to allow for construction access height requirements and will be re-installed on completion of the works in 2025.

Images

Artist impression - Cadigal Reserve nature play area:

Summer Hill Cadigal Reserve

Artist impression - Longport Street tunnel and bat screen, looking south from Cadigal Reserve towards Longport Street:

Longport St tunnel and bat screen

Piling works for the shared path have started in the Hawthorne Canal. The contactor has to work with the tides and water levels within the canal:

Under the Battle Bridge, Parramatta Road:

Construction works commenced with a temporary access ramp into the canal. Retaining walls for the temporary access ramp are being constructed:

Cadigal temp ramp into canal works

Delivery of reinforced steel for the piles that will support the shared boardwalk:

Cadigal reo steel delivery

Footings for the raised path to and from the microbat-friendly tunnel under Longport Street are almost finished:

Footbridge over Hawthorne Canal is being lifted to allow for construction site access through the canal from Marion Street, Leichhardt:

Cadigal Reserve construction fencing has been installed for safe construction; ecological and bush care areas are fenced off from the construction site with dust and site run-off mitigation measures in place:

Cadigal tree protection zone and dust and runoff control