On Saturday, April 12 starting at 10am, Save the Snowy Rail Bridge invites all community members to a special walk on the Snowy Rail Bridge.
Starting at the eastern (Orbost) end carpark at 10am and finishing at 11.30am, this Walk and Talk will be an opportunity for people to see all the new signs and walk through the Red Colonnade and onto the bridge to the first Refuge Lookout.
For most people, this will be the first opportunity to walk on the deck of the Snowy Rail Bridge which has not yet been officially opened.
It will also be an excellent opportunity for members of the Snowy Rail Bridge committee to get feedback from local people.
“I will be really interested to hear the comments, especially about the stories told on the displays inside the Entry Colonnade,” said Liz Mitchell, chairperson of the Snowy Rail Bridge group.
“It has taken 10 years of effort from our local committee to get to this point in the history of this iconic bridge, and we particularly want to encourage local people to come and enjoy the experience.
“We are keen to explain the design of the Entry Colonnade, how it originated and why it is painted red, as well as the story about how the new deck was designed and constructed, along with the methods of maintaining intact the many heritage features of the old bridge.
“There is a great story behind the five concrete plinths at the carpark which focus on the beautiful small bird, the Blue Wren, whose indigenous name is ‘Yeerung’. This was designed by local artist, Alfie Hudson.
“We want to encourage local people to explore the other end of the bridge (the Newmerella end) with its excellent Rail
Bridge Walk along the embankment to the bridge.
“Also, the newly constructed Under-Bridge-Walk at the Newmerella end gives a special opportunity to see the structure of the bridge and to understand the magnificent timber working skills of the workmen who constructed the bridge in 1915,” Liz said.
