GSRT: 1 Great Southern Rail Trail - Updates
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This trail in Gippsland is almost complete. It runs between Leongatha and Foster but there are some missing bridges between Koonwarra and Meeniyan.
Survey - Tell us what you think of the trail and the new bridge
28 July 2008. With the new bridge at the Tarwin River near Meeniyan now officially open for use, we'd like to know what you think of it.
From its unofficial opening in March to the official christening in mid-June, more than 8000 people have made use of the new bridge. If you're one of them, we'd love to hear from you! If you're not, but have used the trail in the past, or simply live in the area and have an opinion, we want your thoughts too.
Click the link below to participate in our survey of on the Great Southern Rail Trail. Complete the survey and go into the draw to win a copy of Lonely Planet's Cycling Australia guide book!
Pumphouse Bridge Opening
02 June 08 The long awaited, much anticipated and very exciting New Pumphouse Bridge over the Tarwin River at Meeniyan is set to be unveiled at its Official Opening ceremony on Friday 13th June at 10:30am. Click here to receive your invitation to the event, and a schedule of events for the weekend. Kick off the weekend with a walk or ride along the Great Southern Trail from Leongatha or Foster to the Bridge for the 10:30am ceremony on the bridge, and enjoy a full range of events through the weekend to Sunday. We encourage members to attend the Opening and show their support for the continuing development of the Great Southern Trail by celebrating this important milestone.
Meeniyan Bridge arrives
Dec 07 One of the missing bridges on the Great Southern Rail Trail is currently being constructed. The long awaited bridge across the Tarwin River and floodplains at Meeniyan will mean riders no longer have to ride on the freeway bridge at Meeniyan. Trail users can enjoy an extra 6km of path bringing the total length of the trail to 37km of uninterrupted trail between Minns Rd (6km north of Meeniyan) and Foster.
$400,000 of the Regional Partnerships programme funding was announced in May to compliment the $10,000 donated by the community along with $340,000 set aside by the Committee of Management.
Committee of Management President, Eric Cumming, says "Our Christmas present is all wrapped up so we are just waiting for it to be installed and enjoyed in the coming weeks".
The new bridge will be located between the Old Pumphouse Bridge and the Freeway Bridge and will include two refuges allowing users to stop for a photo opportunity at the Old Pumphouse and surrounds.
Success at last! Pumphouse Bridge project to be completed by November
May 07 After years of hard work the Great Southern Rail Trail has just received a grant from the Federal Government to build a new bridge at Meeniyan
The Regional Partnerships Program funding is for almost $400,000, which will add to State Government funds already secured. Committee of Management President, Eric Cumming, says that finally "work can start on the Pump House Bridge Replacement. Completion is planned for November this year."
The new bridge will mean that rail trail users will be able to cross the Tarwin River safely, avoiding a dangerous section along the highway. The bridge will provide a continuous trail of 37 km from Minns Rd (6km north of Meeniyan) to Foster. Click on the link to the right for more information.
Two more river crossings are required to complete the trail from Leongatha to Foster. Fortunately the highway is about to be realigned leaving the old highway bridges for exclusive use by riders, horses and walkers on the rail trail. This should happen in the next year.
Pumphouse Bridge project
Jul 05 The old railway bridge over the Tarwin River near Meeniyan is beyond repair. The cost to restore it and the high ongoing maintenance costs has resulted in the Rail Trail Committee deciding to leave the bridge as it is.
John McKay, Secretary for the Great Southern Rail Trail says "it is a valuable example of railway history and engineering. We shall ensure that it is kept safe and can be viewed for years to come."
The plan is to construct a steel bridge, designed to carry normal rail trail traffic (NOT 100 tonne locomotives!). The plan was to build a 2.4m wide walkway on a 50mm thick treated pine deck, with handrails to 1,500mm high, and steel mesh to the same height to preclude small people from climbing up and over.
However with a significant increase in the cost of steel the bridge may be narrower than the desired 2.4m.
It shall be located 5-10 metres away from the existing bridge and parallel to it. It will be the same height so the old bridge can be viewed and the construction will be a series of trusses, supported on trestles. It shall be painted a 'native' green so that not only will it look like a railway bridge, but it will also be unobtrusive and not detract from the old bridge.
The cost will be considerably less than the repairs to the old bridge, as will the on-going maintenance.
Timing is tricky. The committee is dependent on the weather to allow access for heavy machinery and the construction of the concrete footings. The contractor believes that the final bridge could be available for use within months, but no promises.
Official opening of Foster section
Dec 03 Riders on the 2003 Great Victorian Bike Ride had the opportunity to be one of the first to ride the newly opened section between Foster and Fish Creek.
The Member for Gippsland, the Hon. Peter Hall, officially opened the new section in Foster, briefly stopping the GVBR riders to cut the ribbon.
He was assisted by Eric Cumming, President of the Great Southern Rail Trail Committee of Management (in yellow).