Photo caption: Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall, left and Armidale Regional Council Mayor Sam Coupland on the 61-year-old wooden Boorolong Creek Bridge, which will soon be replaced with a new $2.4 million concrete structure.
Tuesday, 17 January 2023
THE 61-year-old wooden Boorolong Creek Bridge, north-east of Armidale, will soon be replaced to improve road safety, freight movements and reduce disruptions in the local road network, with Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall today announcing an additional $1.2 million in funding from the State Government to assist Armidale Regional Council get on with the project.
Mr Marshall said the extra cash effectively doubled the budget to $2.4 million for the much-anticipated project, after council received a grant of $1.204 million from the Fixing Country Bridges in 2021 to replace the decrepit single lane structure.
“It’s been incredibly frustrating for locals to see no progress on replacing the old bridge since the original funding was announced almost two years ago,” Mr Marshall said.
“Since that time construction costs have skyrocketed and council advised that it needed more cash to go out to tender and get the job done.
This additional $1.2 million, which doubles the original grant, will allow council to proceed to appoint a contractor shortly to completely replace the bridge with a larger, wider concrete structure which will dramatically reduce council’s maintenance costs.
“Boorolong Creek Bridge will be replaced by a new single-lane concrete bridge that will better withstand events like floods and bushfires, ease the burden of maintenance for council and ratepayers and be much safer for all road users,” Mr Marshall said.
“This is great news for those who live out on Boorolong Road, who have all had bad experiences on the bridge from near misses, to motorists not giving way to oncoming traffic.
“With this additional funding now allocated, council has gone out to tender for project and should have it completed by the April 2024 deadline.
“On top of easing the financial burden on council, the new bridge will ensure the continued free flow of agricultural produce to market.”
Armidale Regional Council Mayor Sam Coupland said the extra funding was very welcome and would significantly enhance council’s Bridge Renewal Program.
“Council is currently making huge inroads into its program to replace ageing timber bridges with new concrete structures,” Cr Coupland said.
“Recently, upgraded bridges include Shingle Hut Bridge on Castledoyle Road, Pint Pot Bridge and Dumaresq Creek Bridge on Cookes Road, with several more identified for replacement.
“Council welcomes the extra funding for Boorolong Creek Bridge, which is located on an important agricultural access link.”