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Missing Link In Off-Road Sale To Longford Path Now Complete

Member for Eastern Victoria Region Danny O’Brien today opened the new pedestrian bridge at Long Waterhole near Longford, completing the missing link in the off-road path between Longford and Sale.

By Danny Obrien - 8th August 2014 - Back to News

"Sections of the overall path have been progressively built as part of the South Gippsland Highway’s flood protection project, but this bridge provides the final component to allow users to travel completely off the road between the two towns," Mr O’Brien said.

"Previously the path only went as far as Swing Bridge Drive, and from there users had to travel on the South Gippsland Highway, which was not ideal as it can get quite busy along this stretch of the highway.

"Cyclists and pedestrians could travel off the busy road until the point where they had to share the Long Waterhole Highway bridge with the many cars travelling between Sale and Longford."

Mr O’Brien said there were also large numbers of workers and trucks travelling to and from Esso and the vegetable farms in the area, along with many holiday makers heading to the 90 Mile Beach and Gippsland Lakes over summer.

"Now there is a much safer off-road alternative that I hope will encourage even more path users, especially families with children," he said.

Deputy Premier and Member for Gippsland South Peter Ryan said the path would not only provide improved travel between the two towns, but also make it easier for locals and visitors to explore the historic Swing Bridge and Sale Common Wetlands that the path connects to.

"Our region is a wonderful area to explore and this path is a safe and easy way for locals and tourists alike to enjoy some of what this region has to offer," Mr Ryan said.

The new 108 metre long bridge is made of concrete and steel and is attached to the side of the existing highway bridge. Concrete and steel barriers are also in place to protect pedestrian and cyclists from the highway traffic.

New sections of path have also been built to join the bridge to Swing Bridge Drive on one side and the South Gippsland Highway/High Street intersection on the other.

Works started on the project in January and final landscaping works will be completed this coming spring, including planting shrubs near the path.

Mr Ryan said the Long Waterhole pedestrian bridge was part of the recently completed $56.9 million final stage of the flood protection project along the South Gippsland Highway between Sale and Longford.

Media Contact: Danny O’Brien 5174 7066 or 0481 013 620


Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com



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