CYCLISTS, walkers, and nature enthusiasts can now enjoy the first completed section of the Peninsula Trail connecting Somerville to Baxter. The northern portion of the trail, stretching about 1.2kms between Baxter–Tooradin Rd and Golf Links Rd, has reached practical completion and is officially open for public use.
The shared path is a vital missing link in the grand vision for the Peninsula Trails $7.7m project, a 170km network of connected trails traversing the Mornington Peninsula. Once the Somerville-Baxter section is complete, walkers and cyclists will be able to travel off road from central Melbourne all the way to Balnarring.
Mornington Peninsula Shire acting mayor Cr Paul Pingiaro said “This trail is all about connecting our communities and giving people more safe, scenic ways to get around”.
The trail’s full length cannot open until a safe crossing is installed at Frankston-Flinders Rd near Hawkins Rd.
The shire said construction on site has temporarily paused while detailed designs for this crossing are completed.
The planned solution involves a culvert underpass beneath the road, a decision guided by safety and practicality.
As Frankston-Flinders Road is managed by the state, the project team is coordinating closely with the Department of Transport and Planning to finalise the design, the shire said.
Beek Beek Ward Cr Kate Roper emphasised the importance of prioritising safety for the project.
“This is an important link for our community, and we need to make sure the crossing is safe and works well into the future,” she said.
“We expect the underpass design to be finalised within the next couple of months. Once that’s complete, construction can move ahead.”
Construction is continuing across other sections of the trail with the boardwalk segment nearing completion and is expected to be ready within three weeks, while minor finishing works are ongoing along the route. Meanwhile, detailed planning for the underpass is progressing.
Subject to design approvals and construction timelines, the full Somerville to Baxter Trail and underpass is expected to open by mid-year.
The state government has contributed $3m and the federal government $2m. Council will contribute the remaining $2.8m.
According to the shire, a wide box culvert measuring 2.7m high and 3m wide will allow path users to cross under Frankston-Flinders Road with lighting, drainage and road safety elements.
It will also have pedestrian signals with a level crossing and rail signalling.
First published in the Western Port News – 11 March 2026
