Council is replacing the old one-lane Repentance Creek Road causeway that crosses Byrangery Creek at Goonengerry with a new 12m span, two-lane bridge – and works are scheduled to start on 15 June.
Repentance Creek Road will be closed to through traffic while the works are being undertaken and a detour will be in place via Mafeking Road.
The works are expected to take around three months and should be completed by the end of August, weather permitting. While Council planned to start the works on 8 June, the start date has been delayed a week by the contractor.
"This is a great win for the local community because the new bridge will significantly improve access," Council's Director Infrastructure Services, Phil Holloway said.
"The existing causeway is very low in the creek and cut off by flood waters regularly. Council has undertaken a flood study of the creek channel and was able to specify a generous new structure which will raise the crossing by about two metres, enabling the new bridge to accommodate the one in 20 year flood event.
"The new bridge will also greatly improve safety for motorists with a much wider two-lane crossing, safer road alignment, safety barriers, new signage and line marking," Mr Holloway said.
There are significant environmental benefits as well, as replacing the causeway with a bridge removes the long standing fish barrier which will help support the movement of fish, and the broader ecosystem of Byrangery Creek. The creek is a potential habitat for the rare and threatened Southern Purple Spotted Gudgeon Fish, one of many species that could benefit from removal of the barrier.
"These are substantial works and we apologise for the road closure and the need for a detour, but it is the best way for us to complete these improvements efficiently," he said.
Council is notifying residents in nearby areas about the works and detour by letter, and electronic message boards will be in place on Repentance Creek Road to provide advance notice to road users.
