Friends of the Bridge
The Friends of the Bridge is a Sub Committee of the Seymour and District Historical Society. The aim of this group is to preserve the existing structure and to incorporate it as part of the Goulburn River Walking Track.
9 March 2018
With thanks to a post on the Friends of the Bridge Facebook page - an update! Finally!
In June 2014 Council engaged a contractor to carry out works on this historic bridge structure to stabilize and secure the bridge from further deterioration with the view that rehabilitation of the bridge could occur at a later date. These works involved the removal of the bridge superstructure including bridge decking and kerbing, guard railing, cross beams and the main steel I beam girders.
As these works progressed, it became apparent that the bridge structure had deteriorated beyond the extents that were originally understood and works could not progress due to safety concerns with the stability of the remaining structure and the works were suspended.
In consultation with Heritage Victoria, an Engineering inspection and report of the bridge was undertaken to establish the current condition of the bridge and whether the current refurbishment techniques and methodology were compatible with the state of deterioration of the structure and the current heritage permit. This report lists a number of recommendations for the future of the bridge along with an alternative refurbishment methodology which is more sympathetic to the bridges current condition.
Short-term actions focus on the immediate stability of the structure and seek to mitigate risks to public health and safety. These works involve the installation of cable bracing and the removal of the remaining superstructure including bridge decking and kerbing, guard railing, cross beams and steel I beam girders. Waterproofing to remaining timber elements will also be carried out in an attempt to halt the deterioration of the remaining structure. These short term works will allow the river to be reopened.
Longer term actions seek to address the refurbishment of the remaining timber bridge elements and for future investigation of the potential for the construction of a new light-weight pedestrian bridge utilising the remaining restored elements of the bridge. These actions hope to restore interest in the bridge and make it a popular place for tourism and recreational activities. Longer term actions are heavily dependent on the availability of external funding being made available over the coming years.
As part of 2017/18 budget, Council made an additional allocation of $120,000 towards the short-term works identified above, taking the total available funds available to complete the short-term actions to stabilise and secure the bridge structure to approximately $180,000.
We are currently in the process of seeking quotations for works to satisfy these short term actions with a view to complete these works by the end of the financial year subject to contractor availability and weather.
I hope this summary provides you with the answers you are seeking.
Tim Partridge
Manager Engineering and Major Projects
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