Enabling community connection
As part of Victoria’s Big Build delivering road and rail projects to improve travel, Bulleen Park and Ride is a prominent project located at the Bulleen entrance to the Eastern Freeway.
The premium bus station’s elements include a 5000 square metre green roof community park, parking for up to 370 cars underneath, dedicated quick drop off and pick-up areas, walking and cycling paths that connect to Koonung Creek Trail, bike storage cages, ramps, toilets and Myki services. It is the first part of the Eastern Express busway, where there will be over 1000 buses travelling through the fast-tracked Bulleen Park & Ride each week.
It has transformed an existing car park into a multi-level carpark and bus interchange. Architecture & Access started working on Bulleen Park and Ride in late 2020 and in two and half years this development has been designed and constructed, with buses rolling in on 30 April 2023. Architecture & Access have worked closely with the Architect, The Buchan Group, the civil engineers and the Department of Transport to ensure that this multi-level car park and bus interchange is accessible and intuitive to use.
Architecture & Access completed design reviews at each stage of the project design. Design reviews assess projects in the built environment at the multiple stages of development, identifying potential access issues and providing guidance to the design and management team throughout the process. Our collaborative approach allows us to understand the project goals and the needs of all users.
The complex interaction between the civil, landscape and architectural drawings was worked through using virtual meetings whereby the plans and detailed drawings were placed on screen and the drawings could be marked up and changed as the team discussed the best solutions. This agile approach enabled early intervention, ensuring the project complied with all relevant legislation, standards and project requirements, whilst managing timelines.
The site had some challenges with a large change in level due to the topography along Thompsons Road. Ramps and stairs have been used to connect the levels of this building. The roof top deck incorporates a shared user path that allows the community to use this space and connects into local bike routes.
“This was a very rewarding project, demonstrating best practice in teamwork with a range of stakeholders'”
Cathryn Grant, Access Consultant and Unit Manager
