September 14, 2018
An historic disused rail bridge on the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail is undergoing a $4.5 million refurbishment to make it a major tourist attraction.
Member for Ipswich West Jim Madden, a former Somerset Councillor, said he had been fighting for many years for the restoration of the heritage-listed Lockyer Creek bridge.
The bridge, at Clarendon near Coominya, features a 100-foot lattice girder span supported on timber piers.
“The trail runs along the former Brisbane Valley Rail Line and is now an increasingly popular recreational venue for bike riders, hikers and horse riders,” Mr Madden said.
“The bridge, which was built in 1886, is in a poor state and requires urgent refurbishment.
“When restored, it will provide an important link on the trail and bring us closer to developing a world-class tourism asset.”
RoadTek – a branch of the Department of Transport and Main Roads – carried out stabilisation works on the bridge last year.
“The second phase of rehabilitation work will include replacing all timber components, and abrasive blasting and repainting of the steel truss,” Mr Madden said.
“Some of these works are already underway with further plans to install a new pedestrian walkway on the bridge.
“This will increase the safety of rail trail users and deliver an important all-weather crossing across Lockyer Creek once refurbishment works are complete.”
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said he hoped the final trail would rival the Otago Rail Trail in New Zealand and the Great Victorian Rail Trail in Victoria.
“When completed the Lockyer Creek Rail Bridge will be a major drawcard for locals and visitors to the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail,” he said.
The project is due for completion by November, weather permitting.
