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Click for full size image:
Photo 1:The bridge
is currently closed for repair
Photo 2: The
Bridge as it is today
Photo 3: The
view from the bridge looking upstream towards
Thornton
Photo 4: The
downstream view towards Seymour
Photo 5: The
subject of all the controversy
Photo 6: The
Breakaway Bridge: A local Icon
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Breakaway Bridge Saved
Last
year we informed our website users that the Breakaway
Bridge was in danger due to its state of disrepair and
the Shire Council's reluctance to commit funds for its
maintenance. But now things have changed.
Thanks to the affirmative
action of local user groups as well as support from
city based visitors the Breakaway Bridge has been saved!
Initial plans which called for the Bridge's demolition
have been scrapped and new initiatives for its repair
implemented. These are due for completion on August
17th in time for the opening of the Trout Season on
September 1st.
After years of wear and
tear as well as water rot of the pylons the Bridge was
in a pretty sorry state. So much so that it has been
under a three tonne limit for the past twleve months
with nineteen of the pylons needing urgent repair. It
was understood that if they did not receive these repairs
within twelve months, the bridge would have to be closed.
Three possible solutions
were put forward in answer to the problem. First a total
closure was made possible. Secondly, a repair to the
existing structure costing somewhere between $90,000
and $100,000. And lastly replacing it with a modern
2 lane bridge at a cost of $820,000. The first of these
options was seen to be the most likely outcome.
Local residents fearing
that they would lose their bridge got together and formed
a strong alliance in opposition to the closure. As it
would effectively cut those who live on the southern
side of the Goulburn River from the township of Alexandra,
greatly increasing travel times, emotions were high.
Travel time to school, the effects on commerce and industry,
fire access and the historical importance all were factors
which helped win the battle. Also important was the
support of dozens of city based petitioners, many of
whom were flyfisherman who filled the form in on our
website, who added weight to the bridge's tourism based
importance.
We would like to thank
each and every one of you who participated in the saving
of the Breakaway Bridge. The Breakaway is legend amongst
flyfisherman the country over, known for its wonderful
hatches and superb dry fly fishing. The Bridge itself
is truly a local icon and with our support should remain
one for a long time to come.
Story updated in a few
weeks when the works are complete.
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