Photo caption: Harley Norton from Civil & Engineering Contractors Coffs Harbour, left, Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall, Walcha Mayor Eric Noakes and Walcha Council project manager Paul Fritsch at the new Boxley Bridge, over Pipeclay Gully, funded with a $979,000 grant under the Fixing Country Bridges program.
Wednesday, 20 March 2024
WALCHA is edging closer to being timber bridge free, with the half-a-century old Boxley Bridge, over Pipeclay Gully, now replaced with a wider, stronger and modern concrete structure, Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall has announced today.
Mr Marshall and Walcha Mayor Eric Noakes drove out on Niangala Road recently to inspect work on the $979,000 project, funded by the previous State Government under the Fixing Country Bridges program.
“Walcha is one step closer to becoming timber bridge free, which is terrific news,” Mr Marshall said.
“The old Boxley Bridge served the region and the surrounding primary producers very well for more than 60 years, but the timber structure had reached the end of its useful life.
“Without replacement, Council would have been forced to impose strict load limits on the old bridge, as it continued to deteriorate – now that won’t be necessary.
“The side track has been active since January and the timber pillars have been demolished to make way for the new concrete structure.
“The new bridge, which will be open to traffic in a couple of weeks, is a new 4.2-metre-wide and 20-metre-long concrete structure on the existing road alignment and at the same height.”
Mr Marshall said the funding was designed to help councils across the region replace dwindling and ageing timber bridges with infrastructure that is more fit for modern-day vehicle usage.
“This funding injection has dramatically eased the financial burden on Walcha Council as they no longer have to continually maintain the old timber bridge.
“This is fantastic news for Walcha and I can’t wait to see Boxley Bridge again once complete.”