Ararat Rural City Council works update

Construction on several Ararat Rural City Council projects is progressing well, with work on projects outlined in the 2019/2020 budget also starting.

Council CEO Dr Tim Harrison said work on Allenders Bridge on Warrak Road outside Ararat was almost complete, with the finishing touches on the road approaches either side being completed this week.

Dr Harrison said the new bridge would see the removal of a load limit that was placed on the former bridge, with vehicles of all weights now able to use the new bridge.

“Roadwork is happening this week to widen and repair the approaches to the bridge, and guard rail is expected to be installed next week. We are hoping to re-open Warrak Road late next week subject to the weather allowing the work to be complete.”

Tenders for the provision of an integral bridge system for a bridge over Salt Creek on Pollands Road, Moyston, have been advertised with the tender to install the new bridge to be advertised in the coming months.

Dr Harrison said Pollands Road would be closed in early August for three days to allow for testing, and the replacement of the bridge is expected to take place later in the year when the weather is drier.

Meanwhile, construction of pedestrian islands and footpath widening near Marian College and St Andrews Kindergarten in Barkly Street, Ararat, is continuing.

Dr Harrison said there had been a short delay in the work due to the delivery of materials to complete the footpath work, but work is now progressing.

“The contractors have today moved to the middle of the road to complete the centre islands. It was not possible to start this work until the footpath work was finished due to safety considerations,” he said.

The installation of a new basketball court at the Ararat Fitness Centre, which Council is project managing, is also nearing completion with the floor set to be varnished and painted next week, ready for use in the first week of August.

Photo above - contractors working on the centre islands in Barkly Street.