MEMBER for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall has today announced that NSW Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) will this week commence a major $1.7 million bridge maintenance and upgrade project along Fossickers Way to improve pedestrian and road safety in Bingara.
Mr Marshall said work would be carried out on both bridges to ensure the structures continued to serve the community and motorists well.
“The state government allocated $1.7 million in this year’s budget for this important project and I’m looking forward to seeing the work get underway this week,” Mr Marshall said.
“As part of the project RMS will replace the existing pedestrian walkways and carry out maintenance work including bolt replacement, bridge approach improvements, water main replacement and re-seal the deck surface on both bridges.
“Other minor works will be also undertaken such as new signage, cleaning, painting and greasing.”
Mr Marshall said work on the 232-metre long Gwydir River Bridge and 55-metre long Halls Creek Bridge would be carried out at the same time to minimise the impact on locals and motorists.
“This major work is expected to take seven months to complete, weather permitting,” he said.
“Motorists are advised to expect short delays with reduced speed limits in place and changed traffic conditions. Electronic message signs will be in place to notify road users of these changes.”
Mr Marshall said the upgrade project was part of the more than $6 million allocated in the 2015/16 NSW Budget for road and bridge improvement works in the Gwydir Shire.
“This is the first of many major road and bridge projects people will see across the Gwydir Shire – it’s going to be a huge 12 months of work to improvement vital local infrastructure,” Mr Marshall said.
The projects and allocations in the budget include:
• $1.74 million to Gwydir Shire Council for road maintenance across the shire;
• $1.7 million to upgrade Gwydir River and Halls Creek Bridges at Bingara;
• $1.1 million to upgrade Fossickers Way between Bingara and the Gwydir Highway;
• $800,000 to upgrade Halls Creek Bridge north of Bingara
• $800,000 to upgrade Cobbadah Creek Brudge on Fossickers Way.
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