Bicycle Network Victoria: Regional Routes
High Country Rail Trail
The latest developments and improvements on the trail
Sandy Creek bridge leaps forward into 2012
10 January 2012. Creative thinking has put the Sandy Creek Bridge over the Hume Weir is a cricket pitch away from being finished, finally completing this glaring gap in the High Country Rail Trail that has stifled the potential of the ride for years.
The project team at Towong Shire have been busy over December and the Christmas/New Year's period installing the new bridge. The pictures speak for themselves
Work to fix the spans into place and complete the bridge are underway and the bridge is expected to be officially open before mid-year.
Challenging wait on Sandy Creek bridge yields new construction solution
21 September 2011. Many months have passed since construction was expected on the Sandy Creek Bridge, but still no bridge. As is becoming an oft-repeated refrain across the state, weather has plagued construction and is the main culprit for the continued delay.
Water levels in the Hume Weir did not recede over summer as expected and continued to top up over the winter months.
The project team at Towong Shire, realising the importance of getting the bridge built, put their noses to the grindstone and have come up with a new construction response. The bridge will now be constructed off site in modular units (as originally planned), but instead of being attached with the use of a crane off the dry weir bed, it will now be installed on site with the use of a barge-based apparatus.
This creative solution certainly isn't as risk-free as installing the bridge from the ground, but with water levels remaining high and expected to stay that way for some time, pushing forward with this new plan is the way to go.
Engineering work to finalise the design of the the bridge pieces is furiously underway, with some aspects still awaiting regulatory approval. Installation of the bridge is expected to begin as soon as possible (updates will continue on this page), but unfortunately it is likely to be 2012 before anyone is riding over it.
If the concept plans and artist impressions are anything to go by, this will be one heck of a bridge, and will become a significant feature for the trail and the region in its own right.
Bridge green light, despite big wet
8 November 2010. Haring Constructions of Wangaratta has been announced as the successful tenderer for the $1.35M Sandy Creek Bridge project at Lake Hume.
The bulk of works will be carried out off-site. Good thing too, as the drought breaking rains flowing in from the High Country mean the lake is much fuller than it has been in years, complicating the installation of the new spans
On-site works are expected in Autumn 2011, as lake levels recede.
Sandy Creek Bridge flying high after finalising funding
7 July 2010. A significant milestone in the lengthy voyage towards a reconstruction of the 600m bridge across the Hume Weir has been reached with the announcement of a full funding and plans to begin work by early 2011.
Minister for Regional and Rural Development Jacinta Allan, announced a grant of $1.35 million to Towong Shire to deliver this project, which includes the installation of new decking and railings as well as a range of other improvements. Bike riders should be able to ride over the rebuilt bridge within the year.
With funding in place from Regional Development Victoria, riders have been waiting for a solution to this technically complex project, which has now been years in the offing. The total length of the bridge as well as the height of the pylons (shown in the photo at right) and the non-standard widths between the pylons have always meant that this project was going to be more problematic than most. These issues have been primarily resolved, and construction is expected to progress, with the first on-site works planned for early next year.
Most importantly, this project will complete the most vital missing link along the High Country Rail Trail. Currently, riders are expected to detour around the gap in the Trail represented by the bridge along approximately 8km of the Murray Valley Highway, a proposition that is not popular or acceptable to most riders and has significant negative impact on ridership and visitation to this Trail.
The 12 metre high pylons will offer unparalled views of the surrounding scenery, and riding the incredible length of this bridge will offer an experience rarely available elsewhere. Riders will also appreciate avoiding riding on the Highway. With this gap in the Trail finished, it will be a fully off-road experience, as it should be.
More information about detailed construction timelines should be available within the next few months. This page will be updated as that detail becomes available.
New tender for Sandy Creek Bridge raises rider hopes
16 December 2009. Towong Shire has released details of a new design & construct tender document intended to solicit another round of proposals to build the Sandy Creek Bridge over the Hume Weir.
The bridge will connect two halves of the High Country Rail Trail that are currently linked only through 7km of the Murray Valley Highway or, conditions permitting, a temporary and informal bypass path that runs along the weir when dry.
The Victorian Government, through Regional Development Victoria, has a long-standing funding commitment in place to deliver the reconstruction of this iconic bridge. Building the bridge will deliver a much needed connection that will get riders off the road, as well as offering unparalled views of the high country region.
The bridge project has been stalled by onerous specifications that would have required the new bridge to be able to withstand full weight vehicles, such as ambulances. This would have cost significantly more money than is currently available for this project.
The new specifications will only require a bridge capable of carrying light weight vehicles, which is expected to reduce the overall project cost dramatically. This is a very positive development, and will make it much easier to finally get the bridge built.
Tender documents are available from Towong Shire. The call for tenders closes on 29 January 2010.
Sandy Creek Bridge bypass now in place
09 September 2008. Given that the process of rebuilding the Sandy Creek Bridge will be a long one, work to find a temporary alternative route has continued for the past few months.
In early July, the High Country Rail Trail steering committee obtained the approval of Goulburn Murray Water to build a ground level crossing across the Hume Weir and alongside the line of the bridge pylons (pictured, right).
In recent years, the low levels of water in the weir have left this section almost entirely dry throughout the year, making the option of building a temporary path along this route a feasible, safer alternative to riding on the busy, high-speed Murray Valley Highway.
Work continued on installing signage and improving the access points and surface on this bypass throughout July. Unfortunately, just after much of this work was completed, winter rains filled the Weir past this point, putting the crossing under water and making it temporarily unavailable. Given that this trail was built in the base of the Weir, this was not an unexpected development.
The bypass should be available for use through much of spring, summer, and autumn as the Weir dries out again. We expect you'll agree that it is better to have this safer and more direct bypass in place and available for 300 days a year while we wait for the Bridge rather than continue to ride along the Murray Valley Highway all year round.
Watch this space for updates on the status of this alternative route.
Let us know what you think of it if you have the chance to ride the trail in the coming months by writing to us.
Planning for the further development of the Sandy Creek Bridge is continuing steadily, and will be a long-term process. Wodonga City Council received 14 tenders in response to its request for development on the Bridge, all of which were considered of high quality. The list will be shortened to three before final selection.
While there is a funding commitment from the State Government still in place, more funding will be required from the Federal Government. The amount required will be determined after the remaining tenders are considered. A great deal of work is still to be done, so we are pleased that the alternative Weir path has been put in place for use in the meantime.
Progress on the Lake Hume Bridge?
10 June 08 Wodonga City Council has moved on further development of the High Country Rail Trail by tendering for the design and construction of the bridge over the Hume Weir which will use the existing foundation columns that formerly held up the railway line. (See picture)
There is currently a $1.3 million State Government commitment towards the bridge and the sealing of the trail from Wodonga to Tallangatta. However, more funding will be necessary to complete the proposed project, and other sources of additional finance will be investigated.
One potential source, the Federal Government's Regional Partnerships Programme, has been discontinued, to be replaced in the 2008-09 & 2009-10 financial years by a similar programmes targeted at developing rural regions. These new programmes, when implemented, could be possible sources for funds to help Wodonga City Council and Parklands Albury-Wodonga complete the trail.
Wodonga Council was unable to complete a funding application in time to be considered under the Regional Partnerships Programme prior to its closure. However, the results of this tender process will allow Council to refine its strategy in applying for further support from the Federal Government in the future, by getting a more detailed scope and costings of the construction.
For more information on the tendering process, click here.
To show your support to Council for their continued commitment to the bridge, write them a message!
Trail to link Baranduda to High Country
March 08. Wodonga Council will build a sealed trail along the Murray Valley Highway to link Baranduda to the High Country Rail Trail.
Minister for Regional Development Jacinta Allan yesterday announced the Victorian Government would provide $250,000 to help fund the walking and cycling track. The 4km trail will also link Baranduda to the Bandiana and Killara High Country Rail Trail.
"The local community has long identified the need for a track to link Wodonga to the outlying communities of Bandiana, Killara and Baranduda," Ms Allan said.
The project will provide a sealed trail for cyclists and walkers along the Murray Valley Highway to the intersection of Tooles Road, along the Kiewa Valley Highway to the intersection of Boyes Road.
Wodonga Mayor Cr Rod Wangman welcomed the project. "Wodonga continues to enjoy strong growth and we as a council need to keep up with the demand for more services and recreational avenues," he said. "This project shows our commitment to servicing not only our CBD."The project was identified in the Wodonga bicycle plan, with the council paying $176,500 of the $426,500 cost.
April 2007 - Federal Government being asked to match State contribution.
An application for funding from the Federal Government's Regional Partnerships Programme is to be submitted soon.
If the funding is secured it is likely that the Sandy Creek Inlet Bridge (right) could be reconstructed and a high quality sealed rail trail be built between Wodonga and Tallangatta within 18 months.
Stay up to date with the latest news by clinking on email me updates above.
December 2006 - Success! $1.3 Million announced for new bridge and sealing the trail.
Minister for Regional Development, John Brumby, announced just prior the the state election that his government will "provide $1.3 million towards the project which once completed will see 24 kilometres of trail sealed and build the iconic 594 metre long Sandy Creek Inlet bridge." To read the full media release click here.
This announcement is the culmination of many years of hard work from local advocates at Parklands in Wodonga, the Bonegilla and Tallangatta advisory committees, and Bicycle Network Victoria campaigners. Congratulations should also go to Wodonga Mayor Lisa Mahood and CEO Peter Marshall who have worked hard to secure funds for the trail.
This rail trail will become one of the best in Australia with stunning landscapes as it runs from Wodonga along the shores of the impressive Lake Hume into the foothills of the High Country. For details of the trail visit our Places to Ride Web Page, Rail Trails Australia or the High Country Rail Trail Website.
The funding will come from the State Government's Provincial Pathways Program.
'Seal the Deal'
June 06. The ‘Seal the Deal’ name has been coined by the Bonegilla Rail Trail Advisory Group and involves redecking the Sandy Creek Inlet Bridge and sealing the trail surface from Wodonga to Tallangatta. The project, which will cost over $1.5 million over two years, will produce one of Victoria’s best and most used rail trails.
Because of the hard work by the Bonegilla and Tallangatta advisory committees and Parklands the ‘Seal the Deal’ project is ready to go, it only needs money.
This project is a great way for businesses of all sizes to give something back to their community. Businesses in the region to follow the lead set by BHP Billiton who, because of its commitment to the health and vibrancy of the local community, recently committed over $200,000 to the Coast to Crater Rail Trail in western Victoria.
The High Country Rail Trail will bring many benefits to the region; locals will have a safe and beautiful place to exercise, visitors will get a unique experience of the stunning countryside, and local businesses will benefit from the money visitors spend. Now is the time for businesses to get on board this exciting community project.
The potential benefits the High Country Rail Trail are reflected by the counts of users conducted at Easter on the successful Murray to Mountains Rail Trail. Results show over 8,000 users on the trail over the Easter weekend this year, up 4.5% from the last year. With LaTrobe University research showing visitors spend over $50 per day on average, the region would have received up to $400,000 for the Easter weekend because of the rail trail.
E-mail the High Country Rail Trail.
Bandiana Link Bike Path Falls Short
The Bandiana Link section of the Albury Wodonga Bypass has the potential to provide a bike path that would link the centre of Wodonga with the beginning of the High Country Rail Trail.
Unfortunatley it appears that VicRoads are unwilling to fund the full length of the potential trail, despite their policy to provide bike facilities with bypass projects. Although the plans and costings for the trail have been completed we understand the trail will not be funded at this stage. This decision is difficult to understand given that a bike path is not being provided along the length of the major bypass road (due to an existing bike path network) meaning that a relatively small amount of money has been spent on bikes on this project.
We are currently trying to get some response from VicRoads in Albury but have not any luck to date.
Kiewa River section
April 2006 Over 500 people attended the Keiwa River Cooee to celebrate the opening of the long awaited section of the rail trail from Wodonga to
The Bicycle Network Victoria staff ride also visited the trail and heard from local community members about the past successes and the challenges that lie ahead.
Jun 05. Bonegilla Advisory Group has been successful with a Small Towns Grant from the Department of Regional Victoria (through Wodonga City Council) to install footbridges over the Kiewa River and Finns Creek and get this challenging section open. This grant is great news for Baranduda residents as the project involves constructing a bike path that links Baranduda with the bike network. 
Parkland’s Green Corp team fenced the riparian zone along Middle Creek from Whytes Road to the Kiewa River section in April and Walsh Earthmoving constructed an excellent trail down to the Kiewa River. Volunteers have been cleaning up this section in preparation for re-vegetating this section next year.
Huon section
Jun 05. Success with a Stewardship In Action grant from the Department of Sustainability & Environment will enable us to upgrade approx 10km’s of the roughest sections of the trail with granulite in late winter.
Sandy Creek Inlet bridge
Jun 05. Parklands has been successful with a Community Support Fund grant to contract an Engineering Consultant to investigate the feasibility of either restoring this 594 metre long bridge or constructing a trail around the Sandy Creek Inlet. This consultancy includes bridge designs and pre-construction planning work.
SJE Consulting won the tender and have completed inspections of the bridge pylons, including a few vertigos hours on an elevated platform inspecting the pylon caps.
Old Tallangatta Access Track
Tallangatta Advisory Group has been successful with a grant to construct a wheelchair accessible track from the Old Tallangatta Lookout Wayside Stop on the Murray Valley Highway down onto the rail trail. This means we will have a safe carpark at the Old Tallangatta end of the rail trail.
Old Tallangatta to Cudgewa section
Jun 05. It is 9 years since Parklands submitted a formal expression of interest to be appointed as Committee of Management (COM) to develop a rail trail from Wodonga to Cudgewa. One way to lobby for this was by developing a discussion paper, which was titled “Steaming Ahead – High Country Rail Trail Green Paper 2005”
The Hon.Tim Fischer, Patron of the High Country Rail Trail and Chairperson of Tourism Australia launched this discussion paper at Ludlows Reserve on 18th April.
Photo: Trestle bridge on the section between Old Tallangatta and Cudgewa
The High Country Rail Trail is being developed by Wodonga-Sandy Creek Rail Trail Advisory Group and Tallangatta Rail Trail Advisory Group in partnership with Parklands Albury Wodonga.
Jul 05. More than 865 volunteers have contributed in excess of 34,856 hours, equating to over $632,201 dollars in time and donated materials to date. They continue to extend and improve the trail. The rail trail group has no source of on-going funding and volunteers with skills from tree planting all the way through to lobbyists are most welcome. Contact by e-mail.