The Australian Government has approved $2 million in funding for the replacement of five timber bridges in Kyogle, New South Wales, as part of the Page Bridge Upgrade Package
Works on the first bridge replacement are planned to start before the end of 2017.
Federal Member for Page, Kevin Hogan, said the funding would replace three bridges in urgent need of repairs due to damage from Cyclone Debbie in 2017.
“Kyogle Shire has one of the highest numbers of aging wooden bridges in New South Wales, and replacing these five bridges will improve access and connections during natural disasters, improve safety and reduce travel times for motorists,” Mr Hogan said.
Kyogle Council Mayor, Danielle Mulholland, said the upgraded bridges would have higher load limits, which would reduce operating costs for local businesses by opening up more direct routes and accommodating heavier vehicles.
“Future Council budgets will feel the benefit of this investment in the form of lower ongoing maintenance costs, which is a further benefit to the shire’s ratepayers,” Ms Mulholland said.
The five bridges to be replaced are Sommerville Bridge, Boorabee Park Bridge, Burt Rayner Bridge, J Campbells Number 1 Bridge, and J Campbells Number 2 Bridge.
Work on all five bridges is expected to be completed in late 2019.
The $4.04 million Page Bridge Upgrade Package is jointly funded by the Australian Government and Kyogle Council.
