February 24, 2016
The Tingoora railway bridge is very close to being converted into a pedestrian footbridge for Kingaroy-Murgon Rail Trail users.
The structure – which is the longest surviving wooden railway bridge in the South Burnett – underwent a rigorous series of inspections last year to determine if it was structurally sound.
It passed the tests, and its conversion to a pedestrian walkway began several weeks ago.
Natural Resources and Parks Portfolio chair Cr Kathy Duff told Wednesday’s Council meeting a team of specialist bridge workers on loan from Gympie Regional Council had removed the bridge’s old top and were in the process of replacing the decking.
The refurbished bridge is expected to be completed by the end of March.
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The Wondai Rail Trail bridge over Dingo Creek should be finished before the end of this month, Cr Duff said.
CTC trainees will oil the new bridge and erect balustrades to finish the project.
The Wondai bridge will be the third bridge completed on the trail, following the erection of new bridges at Crawford and Wooroolin late last year.
The next bridge to be tackled will be near the Kingaroy end of the trail.
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Vegetation along the Rail Trail is also being cleaned up.
Cr Duff said slashers were removing excess growth along the track, as well as along the track bed, in preparation for laying down the trail’s bitumen seal.
The waste was being converted into mulch.
CTC trainees recently conducted an emu parade of the trail to collect discarded railway hardware such as dog spikes, jointing plates, nuts and bolts and similar materials to assist the clean-up process.
Meanwhile, the trail’s tree planting campaign has continued near the Wooroolin end of the project.
Bluegum, hoop pine, crows ash and leopard ash seedlings have been planted, and plantings are expected to continue in the area for another two weeks.
Related articles:
- Rail Trail User Backs Bitumen
- Bitumen Seal For Rail Trail
- Rail Trail ‘Progressing Well’
- Historic Bridge Gets Health Check
- New Round Of Rail Trail Meetings
- Rail Trail’s Final Costings Almost Ready
- Rail Trail Work Starting Soon
- Funding Split Up Agreed For Rail Trail
- Meet The Kingaroy-Murgon Rail Trail
- Rail Trail Meetings Begin Next Week
- Horses Still Possible On Rail Trail
- Trail Consultations Start In January
- Rail Trail Project Ticks Off Local Farmers
- Triathlon Hope For Rail Trail
- Mayor Expects Small Rail Trail Bill
- MP Adds To Rail Trail Push
- $2m Makes Rail Trail A Reality
- Mayor To Target Rail Trail Funds
