Construction of the Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail is back on track and remains on schedule for completion by December, despite the impact of the recent floods.
Workers from construction company Hazell Bros have returned to the rail trail sites after spending six weeks supporting the enormous flood clean-up in the Tweed.
The company made a significant contribution to the Tweed's flood clean-up, diverting a fleet of 16 trucks, five excavators, five bobcats and up to 50 workers for six days per week at Tumbulgum, Condong, Uki, Bray Park, Dulguigan, Tyalgum, Chillingham and South Murwillumbah.
Tweed Mayor Chris Cherry thanked the company on behalf of the community for its support.
"Hazell Bros did not hesitate to pitch in with the mammoth clean-up we were facing and were on the ground within days of the flood to help," Cr Cherry said.
"The scale of the damage across the Tweed was on a never-before-seen scale so we are very grateful for their support."
Northern Rivers Rail Trail Project Director Iain Lonsdale said work had resumed on the Tweed section of the rail trail, with the initial flood clean-up now largely complete.
"It's great to see the workers back on the job and I'm pleased to say the rail trail itself, including the compacted gravel surface we put down in January, has held up well in the floods and we remain on schedule to complete the project in December," Mr Lonsdale said.
"The flooding did disturb some of the site establishment works, such as the scaffolding on Dunbible Bridge, but overall most of the work sites are operational again."
Over the coming months, construction works along the 24km Tweed section of the rail trail between Murwillumbah South and Crabbes Creek will include:
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sand blasting and resurfacing of Dunbible Bridge
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clearing of flood debris and vegetation along the corridor
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construction of 5 bridge bypasses and associated earthworks
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removal of sections of the track
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trail access works
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construction of a new timber bridge at Stokers Siding.
When completed, the full length of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail will preserve the 132km scenic rail corridor between Murwillumbah and Casino, creating a safe, car-free connection between the villages and towns along the route.
It will be constructed in four stages, each delivered separately by local Councils, as funding allows.
The Tweed section will be the first to open by early next year and will connect the rural villages of Crabbes Creek, Mooball, Burringbar and Stokers Siding with Murwillumbah. Trains on the former North Coast Line ceased running in 2004.
Funding for the Tweed section was provided by the Australian Government, under its Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Package Fund, and the NSW Government under its Restart NSW program.
For project updates and more information about the Northern Rivers Rail Trail, visit yoursaytweed.com.au/railtrail.
