Since May 2024, Orbost locals and the many thousands of visitors and travellers on the Princes Highway through East Gippsland, have witnessed the transformation of Orbost’s Snowy Rail Bridge.
Chairperson of the Save the Snowy Rail Bridge committee, Liz Mitchell said, “I am proud to announce that Stage 1 of the bridge works is nearing completion.
“The most obvious achievement of Stage 1 is that the bridge now has a future as a landmark for our region, rather than be allowed to fall down.
“The Stage 1 Bridge restoration works, funded by the Victorian Government through its Tourism Infrastructure Program, has resulted in a stabilised structure, removal of ballast and rotted timbers, and sections of a specially designed floating deck which sits above the repaired historic structure below, all thanks to the enormous amount of work done by our major contractor, McInnes Earthmoving.
“Separate funding from the Commonwealth Government’s Black Summer Bushfire Recovery grants has enabled construction of new carparks, picnic facilities, an underbridge walk, lookouts, a major entry feature (about to be installed) and world class interpretive signage.
“This funding was not able to be used to contribute to the bridge restoration directly so has instead been directed to creating an incredible ‘visitor experience’.
“Completion of the remainder of the bridge decking, and further substructure restoration works will form Stage 2 of the project, for which the committee has been actively seeking funding for the past year.
“Although most works have been completed, they have yet to be signed off and until that time, the bridge remains a worksite and is not yet open to the public. When this is finalised, we will let everyone know and open the site for all to enjoy the full bridge and visitor experience.
“However, the underbridge walk and Snowy Floodplain Lookout picnic area are now readily accessed by a short walk from the Burn Road carpark at the foot of Newmerella Hill and we encourage people to go out and take a look.
“With the completion of Stage 1 of this important project, I now feel confident that our historic landmark has a key role to play in the future of Orbost and our district.”
