The last train into Yass in 1988 crossing the Yass River bridge. The proposed new rail trail will be built around the heritage structure. Photo: Yass Railway Museum.
Plans for a Yass rail trail in the centre of town are well on track with the Yass Valley Council securing a grant of $698,000 to design the project, which has an estimated total cost of $11 million.
A Yass Valley Council spokesperson said once the planning and design were finalised, in about 12 months, council would apply for future grant funding to enable the rail trail’s construction.
The Yass Rail Trail, a designated shared zone for pedestrians and bicycles, will utilise the disused Yass Tramway corridor, between Yass Junction and the township – a distance of 4.7 km. The proposed route is designed to end at the Yass Railway Museum, near the town centre.
The proposed route includes the old steel bridge which was built across the Yass River in the early 1890s.
Concern was raised in the community recently about the current condition of the old bridge.
All rail services were withdrawn from the branch line in 1988. Signs saying: “Warning. Risk of Falling Debris” and “No Stopping: Collapsing Structure” are plastered across one of the pylons of the bridge with ownership of the structure listed as a Transport for NSW asset and an email address for enquiries.
Despite being in such a dilapidated condition today, the bridge is one of the town’s most iconic sites – and was the first Pratt truss bridge to be built in Australia. It received state heritage listing in 1999.
It also sparked controversy when it was built when the decision was made that the line between Sydney and Melbourne would bypass Yass by 5 km. The answer was Yass Town Station and the connecting tramway which opened in 1892.
The latest NSW Government funding comes on top of $220,000 for a feasibility study into the rail trail project under the Get NSW Active program last financial year.
This was used to deliver an assessment that allowed Yass Council to apply for further funding for the project.
The feasibility study estimated that it would cost $11 million to construct the Yass Rail Trail. The largest expense within the project was $4.2 million to maintain and repair the bridge over the Yass River.
The bridge is managed by Transport for NSW, not the Yass Valley Council.
This feasibility study included heritage investigations of the route with a special focus on the bridge; structural assessment of the bridge and necessary restoration works; Indigenous study of sites of significance within the rail reserve; identification of potential new business opportunities and how the rail trail contributes to the visitor economy; and estimated maintenance costs and identification of a suitable maintenance regime.
The historic Yass Railway Bridge needs significant work if it is to become part of a rail trail project. Photo: Supplied.
At their council meeting on Thursday, 25 July, Yass Valley councillors gave the green light for further funding investigations into a rail trail in Yass.
Yass Valley Mayor Allan McGrath said the project would do more than just encourage physical activity.
“There are opportunities for existing businesses to amplify and new businesses to develop because of the trail,” Mr McGrath said. “It will also allow active transport connectivity for Yass CBD with North Yass and showcase our heritage and history.”
The council spokesperson said staff would now look at funding options for the next stage of the project, including a detailed design, community consultation and construction.
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