A $780,000 project to replace the aging bridge over the Winburndale Rivulet on Rivulet Road in New South Wales is now complete.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said the project would provide safer and more reliable access for local residents and farming businesses.
“Peel residents had voiced concerns about the safety of the old bridge over the Winburndale Rivulet due to the steep approach to the bridge, and its width and proximity to the water below,” Mr Chester said.
“The new wider and stronger concrete bridge will benefit the region’s agricultural businesses by providing safer and more efficient access to the area for the movement of freight.”
Federal Member for Calare Andrew Gee said the project was funded under Round Two of the Australian Government’s Bridges Renewal Programme, which upgrades and repairs bridges to enhance access for local communities and improve productivity for heavy vehicles.
“The old one-lane timber bridge was demolished and replaced with a two-lane, 12-metre-span concrete bridge,” Mr Gee said.
“The crossing was also raised to improve flood immunity, while also easing the burden of ongoing maintenance costs on the Bathurst Regional Council budget.”
Bathurst Regional Council Mayor Graeme Hanger OAM said the upgrade was important to ensure safe and reliable access for motorists.
“In addition, the new bridge increases productivity and has economic benefits for the community.
It demonstrates that we are working to improve infrastructure not just within the Bathurst CBD, but also our surrounding villages,” Cr Hanger said.
Construction on the project started in January 2017 and works were completed in June 2017.
The Australian Government and Bathurst Regional Council each contributed $390,000 to fund the project.
