The NSW Government has provided $6.7 million under the Bridges for the Bush program for work to demolish the existing old wooden Lignum Creek bridge in the Weddin Shire and replace it with a new, wider, 72 metre long concrete bridge which will better accommodate heavy vehicles.
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The existing bridge was built in 1937 and is narrow, in very poor condition and with around 150 vehicles travelling along this section of the road each day, including 45 heavy vehicles, a new bridge is needed to accommodate this usage and improve road user safety into the future.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke visited the site earlier this month when the work commenced.
“The existing bridge is in poor condition and nearing the end of its life,
"A new bridge is needed to improve road user safety and reduce ongoing maintenance costs,
"As the old timber pier and pile bridge is on a straight road alignment in a 100km/h zone, the ride across it is notoriously rough,
"Motorists, and particularly heavy vehicle operators, will enjoy a much smoother ride across the longer, wider concrete bridge when it is completed and opened to traffic in mid- 2019," said Ms Cooke.
An impressive bypass track has already been built by Council and will be used to divert traffic during the work on the new bridge, ensuring as few traffic disruptions as possible along the Mid Western highway.
The project will employ 16 people, including six during bridge construction and up to 10 during road construction.
The construction of the bridge will be another major infrastructure assets upgrade in the Shire and is estimated to be completed by around June or July next year.
