Calna Creek Bridge Broken

[Lindsay]

Great news...but $250k......I would not have thought that it would cost that much for a simple bridge

[perfectlydark]

Sweeeet

[skibug]

Hello all,

Did two crossings of the Calna Creek ford yesterday and today. Tide was not low, about half way between low and high, so undies got a bit wet. Be warned that there are two problems that have effected the timber ramp on the eastern bank:

1. The third last wooden plank has broken in half, potentially injuring or trapping a misplaced foot (the plank is underwater, so is not obvious).

2. The wire mesh (bird cage mesh?) placed over the planks to provide grip has peeled away on the downhill/creek side, and is sticking upwards with sharp points creating a serious puncture risk, especially as most people will have already removed shoes for the wade across. My wife discovered this the hard way, having to sit down and carefully dis-impale herself.

Be warned!

It seems to me the best solution here is a small pontoon/jetty, which would project say 3 or 4 metres across the creek, across the deepest channel to where the water would vary from a few cm, to perhaps 1 metre deep, allowing a crossing at all tides, rather than just low to middlin' tide. The jetty would need a proper installation, however given that the replacement bridge is probably at least 18 months away, this may be a good temporary solution. After the bridge is built the jetty could be recycled for another use.

Skibug

[wildwalks]

Be warned that there are two problems that have effected the timber ramp on the eastern bank:

Thanks Skibug - good warning.
I have passed the info onto Crown Lands (who are responsible for the GNW) -- I have found them to be very responsive in the past.

Thanks again.

Matt

[skibug]

Hi everyone,

Crossed Calna creek at the official crossing twice over the last weekend (21-22 March 2015) - the wire mesh has been removed, and the plank is repaired. The planks are now pretty slippery, so hang on to the railing and get some grip with your bare feett in the gaps between the planks.

We crossed at a tide that was more high than low - the depth indicator closest to the ramp was around 130 cm, which for our party was around waist- chest deep. Please be aware that although the creek bed is sandy/muddy, there are still sharp objects which can cut - I think I could feel mangrove shoots, and one member of the party emerged with a centimetre long incision on the sole of her foot, possibly shellfish or broken glass.

Take care out there!

Skibug

[RobN]

Funding has been approved to repair the bridge, assessment started April 2015. Construction completion is expected by the end of 2015.
[url]
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslo ... 7238463166[/url]

[GPSGuided]

Another environmental assessment? Excuse my ignorance, what environmental assessment will they again need at this stage?

[perfectlydark]

Gotta burn tens of thousands somehow!

[wildwalks]

Shiny new bridge

The new Calna Creek Bridge

Still no word from NPWS but this bridge looks built and is been used by people.
Still marked as closed on the NPWS website, but there are no signs or barriers up and people are using it.
(the old Calna Creek bridge closed signs have been removed).

A few more images here -> https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10153510662056532&id=243662566531

Great news.

Metal structure, Metal handrail on both sides, timber supports in the creek bed and fiberglass footpad.

Matt

[Bluegum Mic]

Hooray. Mind you id promised my son I'd walk him to the broken bridge to look at it and we didn't get round it. Whoops..my bad

Sent from my SM-G920I using Tapatalk

[GPSGuided]

Wow, impressive! All good things come slowly.

[johnw]

Great news Matt . Acknowledgement and thanks to the local MP, NPWS ranger and your own efforts in lobbying to getting this sorted. I've walked in the area on numerous occasions but not for some time. Will have to make a point of revisiting soon and check out the new bridge. It certainly looks far more likely to withstand any future inundation than the old log bridge (which did have a lot of character though).

[charles]

Just walked from Cowan to Hornsby and the bridge has been replaced. It still looks quite new. So for anyone with concerns don't worry about the bridge.