Ten years ago, when we first started campaigning for the rail trail, it was incomplete, unloved, unknown, and unused.

After a prolonged community campaign, the BVRT was finally completed in August 2018 with the opening of Toogoolawah to Moore at a cost of $3.4 million.

Any further funding for things like bridges was considered to be out of the question. The projected costs were prohibitive.

But hang on a minute, it turns out that DTMR had some funding for the maintenance of heritage assets they own, such as the heritage listed Lockyer Creek bridge. A magic wand was waved (in other words, state bureaucrats in TMR worked very hard behind the scenes) and lo and behold, Lockyer Creek Bridge was rehabilitated at a cost of $4.5 million and opened by the end of that same year. Awesome.

But that's your lot mateys, no more funding for bridges...but there might be some funding for a smaller bridge in 2022. More work by State bureaucrats behind the scenes and boom, Coal Creek bridge north of Esk was rehabilitated at a cost of ~0.8 to $1.2 million.

No seriously folks, there is no more money for bridges...we can't always have nice things.

Yes, but then we had the 2022 floods and it was announced…"After the 2022 floods in Southeast Queensland (SEQ), the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) witnessed firsthand how much the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail (BVRT) means to the economic environment in the regions it passes through. TMR has put a stronger focus on trail maintenance and upgrades that improves the user experience and will seek to minimise the impacts on the trail during and after extreme weather events. ...As part of the upgrades, TMR is happy to announce that significant refurbishments will be made to the creek crossing bridges at Black Snake Gully, near Esk and Cooragook Creek, near Coominya."

Two bridges. Awesome. No really that was truly awesome. I don't know how much those two bridges cost, I asked but was told it was ‘Commercial in Confidence’.

But a bit of detective work revealed that another similar bridge was listed on the TMR website as costing $1.5 million.

Logan Creek was a bigger bridge, so let's estimate the cost at ~$2.5 million, and Black Snake Creek was a similar size to the one listed, so let’s estimate $1.5 million.

Gott love those bureaucrats, where would we without them, but now you've done all those bridges, really if the rail trail is to be made truly flood resilient, the last one between Coominya and Esk needs to be done to give a consistent experience.

More hard work by State bureaucrats behind the scenes and Sandy Creek just north of Mt Hallen was designed funded. Currently under construction at an estimated cost of $1.5 million.

So according to my trusty calculator, that's a total of approximately $11.2 million for bridges over the past 7 years.

Wow, thank you Queensland Government, we really appreciate your financial investment in this great rail trail. We think that's a cause for celebration.

Depending on weather conditions, Sandy Creek bridge is due to be completed by late-May/early-June, so 22 June seems like a good date.

We've organised transport from Fernvale to Toogoolawah for riders and their bikes via coaches and bike trailers.

BONUS

10% discount at the very cyclist friendly Brisbane Valley Roasters in Esk just in case your caffeine levels are getting low after the early start and coach ride.

10% discount at the new Splityard Social cafe in Fernvale, possibly the most cyclist friendly cafe in Queensland, specialising in delicious slow cooked meals at reasonable prices and coffee sourced from farmer owned co-ops. Why not drop in after the end of the ride to check it out and try out their lunch menu?

Just present your Eventbrite ticket for this event to qualify.

What shall we call the event ? How about,‘The Five Bridges of Somerset Rail Trail Ride’?

Ride a great section of the trail, with no gullies or no steep hills, and take lots of photos of you and your friends on those bridges, all built to the original designs.

This is a supported ride.

Cost $65. Min 30. Max 76. Price includes transport from Fernvale to Toogoolawah .

Places are limited so book early to avoid missing out on this great BVRT experience.

Please read our Disclaimer:

Participation in this event is entirely at your own risk. We recommend membership of an organisation such as Bicycle Queensland or Auscycling that includes public liability and accident insurance or having your own accident and public liability insurance.

BVRT Users Association reserves the right to postpone or cancel this event if there are any weather or other safety concerns. A transfer to the new date or a full refund will be offered.

Mountain biking and trail riding can be dangerous activities - registration and participation in this event will require you to acknowledge that you have read and fully accept our terms and conditions and that the organisers will not be held liable for any accident you may have, regardless of the circumstances.

When registering via Eventbrite, you will be required to acknowledge that you have read and accept the terms of the Liability Release & Indemnity Waiver.