Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway and Lismore City Mayor Steve Krieg today opened the new Sexton Bridge at Monaltrie which was replaced to improve safety for motorists and the community.
Our specialist Bridge Crew replaced the ageing wooden bridge with a new 16.1m x 7.2m single span concrete structure. This new structure founded on concrete driven piles has been designed and constructed to achieve a 100-year design life while improving its flood immunity and safety for local farmers and truck drivers.
"This is great news for our community. The new bridge will ensure that our farmers can get their produce to markets and improves the connectivity across our whole Local Government Area," he said.
"Importantly, Council has 'Built Back Better' by improving the resilience of the bridge to flooding."
Council has its own bridge construction and maintenance crew which have the knowledge and experience to deliver construction projects, as well as maintain our existing timber bridge networks which is a specialist skill.
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the bridge was the fourth of ten aging wooden bridges Council replaced thanks to $11 million from the Fixing Country Bridges program.
"Our government is getting on with the job of building infrastructure to better withstand extreme weather events and protect our supply chain," Mr Farraway said.
"With each bridge replaced, we're opening up more efficient routes for heavy vehicles from freight to the local school bus. Improving access for locals, farmers and freight companies helps them to reduce costs."
Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin congratulated Council's Capital Works Engineer Steve Bennetts and his specialist bridge crew on a job well done, particularly betterment to cope with future flood events.
"The new Sexton Bridge at Monaltrie is a major improvement for local motorists who use Gundurimba Road as an access road in and out of Lismore. Bridges connect people to services and community," Ms Saffin said.
"I look forward to six more timber bridges being replaced with concrete structures under the Fixing Country Bridges program."
This project has helped support 20 local jobs over the three months construction was carried out, including five full-time positions.
Council, and our Bridge crew, would like to thank the owners of the surrounding properties for their patience and understanding during construction.
