Giles Street Bridge is open for business
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The extension of Giles Street is complete and two important industrial areas of Bairnsdale now better connected after East Gippsland Shire Mayor Cr Natalie O’Connell officially declared a new bridge over McGee’s Gully open today.
Joined by local business owners, livestock industry representatives, transport operators, fellow councillors and distinguished guests, including Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester representing Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack, in cutting the ribbon Cr O’Connell said the three-span steel and reinforced concrete bridge over McGee’s Gully and associated roadworks would serve the Giles Street and East Gippsland Regional Livestock Exchange area of Bairnsdale very well for many years to come.
“This has been a major construction project for Council and comes with a $2.46 million price tag. It is money well spent, with the bridge and associated road extension linking the Giles Street and Saleyards Road industrial areas,” Cr O’Connell said.
“The infrastructure has been built on a previously unmade section of road and is a project that was the subject of much lobbying for by the local business community.
“The bridge will provide a more direct route for heavy vehicles and people working and visiting the businesses in the industrial estates. This has already been evident in the use of the new road and bridge in the past week since works were complete and the positive feedback received, including reduced travel times.
“Work on the project began in January 2018 and has been undertaken by council’s contractor Tambo Constructions. The local firm should be congratulated for delivering a quality build on schedule.”
The project included:
530 tonnes of concrete and 5,760 tonnes of crushed rock 7,080 square metres of asphalt 185 tonne of bridge beams and 94 metres of guard rail 270 metres of storm water drainage 400 metres of kerb and channelling and street lightingCouncil contributed the lion’s share of the funding for the project from its capital works program and the
Australian Government $588,500 under the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program.
East Gippsland Shire Council Mayor Cr Natalie O’Connell is joined by Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester, local businessman Bernie Farquhar and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack in officially opening the new Giles Street Bridge in Bairnsdale on Tuesday in front of local business owners, representatives from local construction firm Tambo Constructions and shire councillors and officers.