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News>Historic rail bridge project ahead of schedule
| Favourable weather conditions and high water levels in Lake Hume have brought forward works to redeck the historic rail bridge over the Sandy Creek inlet with the final span placed on January 6.
The reinstatement of the rail bridge, linking the two sections of the High Country Rail Trail, will enhance the experience of trail users and showcase the spectacular view over Lake Hume.
“We are absolutely delighted at the progress made with the Sandy Creek Bridge construction so far,” said Cr Debi Gadd, Towong Shire Council Mayor. “There is such excitement in the community as they see the bridge recreated piece by piece”.
The bridge construction contractors used a barge to ferry the 26-tonne beams across the Lake and fit them across the existing concrete pillars left from the original railway bridge. Ideal conditions between Christmas and New Year meant that almost all of the beams to connect the High Country Rail Bridge were put in place; conditions so perfect that on just one day, nine spans were installed.
The High Country Rail Trail and Sandy Creek Bridge project is a key tourism project in North East Victoria with the potential to attract many new visitors to the region each year. Together with Indigo Shire Council and City of Wodonga, Towong Shire Council was successful in securing $1.35M from the Victorian Government to redeck the original rail bridge that was dismantled in 1981.
“Once the project is completed, walkers and cycling enthusiasts will be able to ride or walk over the bridge and continue safely along the High Country Rail Trail rather than breaking the journey to join traffic on the Murray Valley Highway,” said Cr Gadd.
Further works, including the upgrade of adjoining sections of the existing rail trail, fixing the hand railing and some landscaping, will take place early this year with the bridge expected to be opened mid 2012.
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