Uralla Shire Council Mayor Mick Pearce, left, and Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall at the newly upgraded Mihi Bridge, during construction, to increase capacity.
Tuesday, 13 March 2018
BRIDGES across the Uralla Shire will go under the microscope to investigate the higher mass limit suitability of three major transport routes, thanks to $63,000 in NSW Government funding.
Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall today announced that Uralla Shire Council had secured the funding from Round Three of the NSW Fixing Country Roads program to undertake the work.
“14 bridges across Thunderbolts Way, Bundarra Road and Torryburn Road will soon be assessed to determine their capacity for taking heavier vehicles,” Mr Marshall said.
“Engineers will inspect bridges of all sizes, ranging from just 12 metres to a 234 metre span over the Gwydir River.
“With several bridges across the Uralla Shire approaching their end of useful life, this will help council’s roads unit prioritise further funding based on need and equip me to lobby the NSW Government for more funding.
“Bundarra’s iconic ‘Lone Pine’ Bridge over the Gwydir River has remained largely unchanged since it was built in 1885 and engineers will ensure it can meet the growing number of heavy vehicles using it every day.
“These inspections will give Uralla Shire Council the tools it needs to expand its heavy vehicle network, planning upgrades, maintenance or changing weight level restrictions to give truck drivers further options and applying for funding for new bridge structures.
“Greater trucking efficiency will help local primary producers lower overhead costs, meaning they get the best bang for their buck at the saleyards.”
Uralla Shire Council Mayor Michael Pearce said the program would happen behind the scenes, but benefit both ratepayers and visitors to the shire.
“This program will coincide with council’s extensive roads maintenance program, providing the infrastructure to keep users safe,” Cr Pearce said.
Through these inspections council can better plan our works, maintaining our bridges’ integrity and keeping goods from across the shire moving.”