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The Sun Shines On Toms Creek Bridge

The townsfolk gathered, the sun shone and laughter lilted in the breeze at the official opening of the new Toms Creek Bridge, north of Meerlieu, last Friday.

By East Gippsland Shire Council - 22nd July 2004 - Back to News

The $300,000 bridge on the Lindenow-Meerlieu Rd was built as part of a joint effort between East Gippsland and Wellington councils.

The impressive concrete and steel structure replaces an old wooden bridge that was constructed more than half a century ago, but had outlived its usefulness and was riddled with white ants.

Meerlieu residents turned out in force to watch the Federal Member for Gippsland and Minister for Science Peter McGauran officially open the 46 metre bridge.

Mr McGauran asked residents for anecdotes about the history of the bridge with one local confessing to using the old bridge as a hiding place from a rather irate teacher many years ago.

Another man said he could always tell when a vehicle was crossing the old wooden bridge at night because he could hear it creaking from his farm several kilometres away. It also meant there would be a frost the following morning, he said.

Mr McGauran invited local school children to cut the official ribbon and then declared the bridge `open’.

East Gippsland Mayor Harvey Bates said the Shire was delighted to work with Wellington Council on the boundary project.

He said Wellington Council was responsible for maintaining Toms Creek Bridge but both councils contributed equally to any major upgrades or as in this case, total replacement.

Cr Bates said East Gippsland’s contribution to the new bridge was funded under the Federal Government’s Roads to Recovery program.

He said the program was vital to East Gippsland Shire being able to maintain its extensive network of local roads and bridges. The Shire has 232 bridges, 148 of which are wooden structures.

"Without that funding, the shire would struggle to provide the necessary maintenance and replacement of infrastructure. Notwithstanding the Roads to Recovery Funding, the Council still needs to do more in that regard and intends to provide more expenditure in relation to asset maintenance and replacement in the year to come," Cr Bates said.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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