Construction of new O’Keefe Rail Trail facilities at Longlea have recommenced following improvements with the wet soil conditions.

Project sign at Longlea. Photo: G.Long

The contractor has relocated the original front timber fence and gates to Peppercorn Park, with these now being set back from Longlea Lane road reserve. Works have also seen the new carpark progress, with compacted gravel having been applied.

The Friends of the Bendigo-Kilmore Rail Trail group previously made a number of change submissions to the project’s initial design. One requested change was to relocate the existing rail trail away from within the 100 kph speed Longlea Lane road reserve and the new carpark’s access road, which was accepted by the council.

The western approach realignment. Photo: G.Long

This realignment is now completed, being located on the east side of the new facility area, with temporary fencing and diversion signs currently in place.

The eastern approach realignment. Photo: G.Long

The council advises that the toilet and shelter are being fabricated off-site, and the remainder of the on-site work to install the toilet and finish off the carpark landscaping will be completed over 5-6 weeks during March/April 2024.