Road users will have access to safer and more reliable local travel as ageing timber bridges are upgraded as part of Kempsey Shire Council’s $2.2 million Bridge Replacement Program being carried out this financial year.
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Council’s bridge team recently completed works to replace one of 94 timber bridges in the region - Whalens Bridge at Austral Eden Inner Rd.
Prefabricated in Queensland before being delivered in one piece, it is the first road bridge to be installed in the shire made of composite fibre.
Council’s Manager of Engineering Works, Tony Green, said the Bridge Replacement Program is part of an ongoing commitment to improving the valley’s road and bridge network.
“Composite fibre is the same material used at the Point Briner walkway and Crescent Head and Oil Terminal footbridges. While it is similar in weight to timber, it doesn’t corrode, burn or rot, so it has a much longer lifespan,” Mr Green said..
Other bridges to be replaced include Saleyards Rd at West Kempsey, Knauers Bridge at Kinchela Creek Left Bank Rd, McIntyres Bridge on Nulla Nulla Creek Rd and Schmidts Bridge on Schmidts Rd.
Smaller timber bridges at Nagles Falls Rd, Andersons Bridge at Austral Eden Outer Rd and Bunghole Bridge at Nulla Nulla Creek are all set to be replaced with new concrete box culverts.
Timber bridges will also be refurbished at Anderbergs Bridge at Turners Flat Rd, Frogmore Bridge on Old Station Road, Quarry Bridge on Willi Willi Road and Black Bullock Bridge, Five Day Creek Rd.
“Using a range of materials and having a prioritised program on the small refurbishments mean that these structures will serve the community for years to come and improve safety while minimising maintenance costs so that funding can be directed to other projects,” Mr Green said.
To keep up-to-date with council’s road maintenance schedule visit: www.kempsey.nsw.gov.au/roads or contact council’s Customer Service Centre on 6566 3200.
