Dimboola Railway Bridge

Year

2007

Project

Dimboola Rail Footbridge

Client

D.C. Projects

Nature

Repairs and Painting

Value (approx)

$190k

 

Gallery (click on images to enlarge)

The Dimboola pedestrian railway footbridge has a heritage overlay and was used primarily for school children to cross the railway line, which separated the main residential area from the school, on their way too and from school. Some 2 years ago the bridge was condemned due to safety concerns and the school children were forced to walk up to 1 km further to the next bridge which, unfortunately, lead to children taking short cuts thus causing great concern within the community.

A lobby group worked tirelessly to have the bridge repaired and reopened and their efforts were finally successful with the bridge being repaired in May – June of 2007.

The work was complicated by the fact that rail services continued during the life of the project and full rail management was necessary throughout. The existing paint was lead based so full environmental considerations were critical to the works being undertaken. This meant full containment was required and the job maintained a very high profile in the town, given the emotion that lead to the refurbishment.

 

Full environmental testing was undertaken throughout the project and all waste material properly removed to an appropriate waste management site.

The bridge was finally returned to its original heritage colours using Dulux Durabild paint and underwent an official reopening with the manner in which McElligott Partners undertook the work being highly regarded by the community.