Fixing Country Bridges Funds at Work

Some of our Shire’s $16 million of Fixing Country Bridges Funds are being put to work this month as geotechnical investigations commence to replace five key bridges within our Shire to ensure essential access for our community and the local agricultural, service and industrial sectors.

Bellingen Shire Council Mayor, Cr Dominic King, said works would commence on Tuesday 18th May 2021, to conduct investigations to remove the load limit of Darkwood’s Justins Bridge by replacing it with a reinforced concrete bridge.

“This means that unfortunately Darkwood Road at Justins Bridge will be closed to all vehicular traffic on Tuesday 18th and Wednesday 19th May between the hours of 8:30am and 4:00pm, weather conditions permitting.”

“That said, our work crews are doing their best to fast-track the test borehole drilling process in an attempt to complete the investigations at Justins Bridge in one day, and motorists will be advised of the status of these works via onsite variable message signs outside of work hours.

Cr King said Kalang Road residents beyond Knights Bridge would also need to take note of local onsite variable message signs between Tuesday 25th and Friday 28th May regarding the temporary closure hours of 4 bridges to allow for geotechnical investigation to be conducted.

“At this stage, our work crews are aiming to test borehole drill Knights Bridge on Tuesday 25th May, Tysons Bridge on Wednesday 26th May, Hopsons Bridge (Tysons 2) on Thursday 27th May and Youngs Bridge (Tysons 3) on Friday 28th May 2021.”

“Given that these works are subject to weather conditions and the onsite ground conditions encountered by the drilling team, I encourage road users to regularly check Council’s website and onsite variable message signs for updates regarding temporary bridge closure hours.”

Cr King said additional geotechnical investigations were also scheduled for a further eight bridges across our Shire, however that it was expected that these works would not require the temporary closure of these bridges to all vehicular traffic.

“Every effort is being made to keep these bridges open to two-way traffic to minimise impacts on commuters so as you drive around our Shire, please observe worksite signage and traffic control directions to help us complete these works as soon as possible and keep our crews safe.”