The piles for the new 144-metre-long concrete bridge at Turners Flat have been completed, with construction on track for completion by December.
Construction for the $4 million bridge got underway in April and is being built by Waeger Constructions. The project has been jointly funded by Kempsey Shire Council and through a $2 million grant under the Federal Government's Bridges Renewal Program.
The new structure has been positioned slightly downstream from the existing timber bridge, has been widened from one lane to two traffic lanes and increased in height by 1.5 metres - making it less susceptible to flood events.
The bridge was closed in 2009 for an extended period and again in March 2017 after sections of the bridge were damaged by flood waters.
Its replacement was identified as one of the key strategic priority projects in Council's 2017-2021 Delivery Program.
Council's Manager Infrastructure Delivery, Dale Smith, said the opening of the new bridge will be a welcome sight for residents as well as drivers of heavy vehicles.
"Turners Flat bridge is used regularly by residents and heavy vehicles associated with quarry and agricultural activities. Widening it to two lanes and replacing the timber with concrete will improve safety and the load capacity for cars and trucks," Mr Smith said.
"All of the bridge piles have been completed, four of the six spans have girders in place and half of the concrete deck has been poured.
"The new bridge is on track to be completed and open to traffic by early December, weather permitting."
New bridge features:
- Ageing timber bridge replaced with stronger concrete structure
- Positioned slightly downstream from existing bridge
- Widened from one lane to two lanes
- Height increased by 1.5 metres
The new concrete bridge at Turners Flat is on track for completion by December
