Community members, who are closely following progress on the new rail bridge over the Avon River at Stratford, will be greatly relieved by the announcement that work is scheduled to commence later this year.

Gippsland East Nationals MP Tim Bull said the Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester announced back in 2017 that the Commonwealth Government would provide the funds but since then the Andrews Labor Government had been giving out conflicting and ambiguous timelines for the project.

“The construction of the new bridge may well be the catalyst for the reinstatement of rail freight services and increased opportunities for additional passenger services which will create further investment and jobs, so it can’t happen soon enough,” said Mr Bull.

“I note the appointment of non-locals CPB Contractors to the project and expect that they will give every opportunity for local civil construction businesses to participate in the bridge’s construction.”

Community information sessions relating to the works will be held on Wednesday, September 4 from 4 - 7pm and on Thursday, September 5 from 8am noon at the Segue Community Hub and Arts Café, 66 Tyers Street Stratford.

A local industry briefing will be held on Wednesday, September 4 from 4 - 7pm at the Stratford Courthouse, 66 Tyers Street Stratford.

“I would hope these sessions will outline what the disruptions to services will be (if any) and alternate arrangements.”

Caption: Federal Member for Gippsland, Darren Chester and Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, at the site of Avon River rail bridge at Stratford where works on its replacement will commence later this year.