Snowy Railway Bridge restoration progress
On Wednesday 10 May 2023 a public-information session was held for community members to view and discuss the plans for restoration of the historic 770-metre-long Orbost Railway Bridge over the Snowy River floodplain.
Community members were invited to look at the plans and talk with the Project Manager and local members of the Save the Snowy Rail Bridge Group about the project.
This project is supported by the Victorian Government through a Tourism Infrastructure Program grant ($3.5 Million) and by the Australian Government through a Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grant ($1.065 Million).
Built in 1915 this bridge carried trains to the Orbost Railway Station at Newmerella until the line closed in 1987. Plans are now to give this grand old bridge a future by its restoration so that it can function as a walking and cycling trail and become part of the East Gippsland Rail Trail.
This phase of restoration will involve stabilising and replacing sections of the piles and other timbers, removing the ballast, and the installation of some new deck and safety rails. Another key feature will be the provision of walking and cycling access, as well as carparking and signage.
The restored bridge will retain its current appearance in the main – there will still be timber piles and a timber under structure. In addition, there will be a synthetic mesh deck for walking and cycling.
The bridge will display some of the history of the district and the Snowy River and the story of how the railway line was built and used. The project aims to give the bridge a future as a key element of the district’s social and visual landscape and support tourism outcomes.
The bridge restoration should begin later this year (2023). The exact timing will be dependent on the availability of contractors. Current plans require the project be completed by June 2024.
This is a big story for a big bridge – the longest timber railway bridge in Victoria.
More News
Campaspe Shire Council recently awarded Northern Construction Group the contract to build approximately 10km of gravel c...
We’re inviting you to attend what may be the largest gathering ever of rail trail volunteers and supporters at our...
On Monday, 2 September a very excited and proud Castlemaine Maryborough Rail Trail group celebrated the exciting announc...
The Great Victorian Rail Trail runs from Tallarook to Mansfield in Victoria’s High Country, with a branch line to ...
The Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR) have been working on the 7km section of the Atherton Tablel...
The Hunter Joint Organisation of Councils in NSW is made up of the ten local councils that cover the entire Hunter regio...
Volunteers of all ages have planted over 20,000 trees and shrubs along the popular Gippsland Plains Rail Trail (Victoria...
The Great Southern Rail Trail‘s extension to Yarram is now officially open! The new 21-kilometre section brings th...
A section of the Camperdown-Timboon Rail Trail is closed for the rest of the year while contractors undertake the diffic...
In 2021 a severe storm impacted the Trentham area, including the much loved Domino Rail Trail in country Victoria. A loc...
We wish to clear our items remaining in stock ASAP and a limited selection are available for immediate processing and de...
The 33 kilometre Beechworth to Yackandandah section of the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail in north east Victoria has bee...
The Wonthaggi Station Museum Precinct has recently received a major lift with a number of actions completed. These inclu...
On 31 July 2024 around 150 people attended the launch of Friends of NERT, which replaces “NERT Inc.” to enco...
On August 1, Bicycle Queensland met with the major stakeholders for the Kingaroy to Kilkivan Rail Trail. This included s...
Rail Trails Australia is now available to receive donations through the 10 cents Containers for Change scheme in Victori...
Calendar of Events
See upcoming eventsNews Archives
Receive Our Free Email News
Stay up to date with the latest news about Rail Trails with our free email news.
Register for news updatesFeatured Articles
More News
Campaspe Shire Council recently awarded Northern Construction Group the contract to build approximately 10km of gravel c...
We’re inviting you to attend what may be the largest gathering ever of rail trail volunteers and supporters at our...
On Monday, 2 September a very excited and proud Castlemaine Maryborough Rail Trail group celebrated the exciting announc...
The Great Victorian Rail Trail runs from Tallarook to Mansfield in Victoria’s High Country, with a branch line to ...
The Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR) have been working on the 7km section of the Atherton Tablel...
The Hunter Joint Organisation of Councils in NSW is made up of the ten local councils that cover the entire Hunter regio...
Volunteers of all ages have planted over 20,000 trees and shrubs along the popular Gippsland Plains Rail Trail (Victoria...
The Great Southern Rail Trail‘s extension to Yarram is now officially open! The new 21-kilometre section brings th...
A section of the Camperdown-Timboon Rail Trail is closed for the rest of the year while contractors undertake the diffic...
In 2021 a severe storm impacted the Trentham area, including the much loved Domino Rail Trail in country Victoria. A loc...
We wish to clear our items remaining in stock ASAP and a limited selection are available for immediate processing and de...
The 33 kilometre Beechworth to Yackandandah section of the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail in north east Victoria has bee...
The Wonthaggi Station Museum Precinct has recently received a major lift with a number of actions completed. These inclu...
On 31 July 2024 around 150 people attended the launch of Friends of NERT, which replaces “NERT Inc.” to enco...
On August 1, Bicycle Queensland met with the major stakeholders for the Kingaroy to Kilkivan Rail Trail. This included s...
Rail Trails Australia is now available to receive donations through the 10 cents Containers for Change scheme in Victori...
3 comments on “Snowy Railway Bridge restoration progress”
We're yet to complete the Nowa Nowa to Orbost section. It'll be a real treat to ride the restored bridge to do it. Worth the wait.
That is fantastic news. I rode on that trail and out to Marlo about 8 years ago and it was an awesome structure even in its dilapidated condition. What a joy to ride over it!
I'm pencilling in Spring '24, when this project has been completed, for another trek along the East Gippsland Rail Trail.
Riding the bridge will be a great way to start (or finish) the trip.
Wonderful news.