Construction progress at Sam Woods Gully which utilises the InQuik prefabricated proprietary system to reduce construction timeframes.
10 October 2024
Across the Bega Valley there are several bridge projects either recently completed, underway, or not too far off starting, and not all of them obvious to road users.
Councils CEO Anthony McMahon explained further. "There are 448 bridges and major culverts (including causeways) across the shire that Council is responsible for managing, including many on less widely used roads," he said.
"Even though these roads may not see heavy traffic, they remain crucial for school buses, farms and the property owners who rely on them as their only access in and out. These bridges are in addition to the 819 kilometres of sealed and 712 kilometres of unsealed roads requiring maintenance across the shire.
"Since the Black Summer Bushfires, Council has replaced 22 bridges, including seven that were impacted by the fires.
"In recent years we have been fortunate to secure several grants that were used alongside Council funding to replace and upgrade local bridges. This includes federal funding and numerous grants under the now discontinued NSW Fixing Country Bridges Program.
"We are still delivering some of the previously funded Fixing Country Bridges projects and we thank the current NSW Government for honouring the commitments of their predecessors.
"With only approximately 20% of the land in the shire being rateable due to the remainder being in unrateable government ownership, it is an enormous challenge to fund what is needed on our critical road and bridge networks.
"We will always rely heavily on federal and state governments to share the funding burden that pays for ongoing maintenance, upgrades and renewals.
Mr McMahon said that Council was also focused on keeping down costs and interruptions to road users when replacing bridges.
"For example, on smaller straighter bridges we have been implementing a prefabricated support and formwork system that's less costly and quicker to complete. And where possible, we always aim to keep a lane of traffic open without the need for diversions," he said.
Bridges renewed/upgraded across the Bega Valley in the past two years include:
- Sandy Beach Creek Tributary on Red Hill Road, Bournda
- Whipstick Creek Bridge on Mount Darrah Road, Wyndham
- Wolumla Creek Tributary on Old Soldiers Road, Wolumla
- Yowaka River Bridge on Nethercote Road, Greigs Flat
- Wonboyn River Bridge on Wonboyn Road, Wonboyn
- Murrabrine Creek Bridge on Wandella Road, Cobargo
- Meringola Gully Bridge on Buckajo Road, Buckajo
- Buckajo Creek Bridge on Buckajo Road, Buckajo
- Pretty Point Bridge on New Buildings Road, Wyndham
- Johnston Creek Bridge on Garfields Road, Numbugga
- Saddle Camp Creek Bridge on Barretts Road, Bemboka
- Logans Bridge on Pericoe Road, Towamba
- Bens Creek Bridge on Pericoe Road, Towamba
- Nungatta Bridge on Nungatta Road, Nungatta
Bridges currently being upgraded across the Bega Valley include:
- Sam Woods Gully Bridge on Wandella Road, Wandella
- Watergums Bridge on Wonboyn Road, Wonboyn
Bridges currently in the planning and design phase for future upgrades include:
- Murrays Bridge on Buckajo Road, Buckajo
- Murrabrine Lane Bridge on Murrabrine Lane, Cobargo
- Katchencarry Creek Bridge on Upper Brogo Road, Verona
- Cuttagee Lake Bridge on Tathra Bermagui Road, Cuttagee
- Ritchies Lagoon Bridge on Wallagoot Lane, Jellat Jellat
- Dignams Creek Bridge on Dignams Creek Road, Dignams Creek
- Rixons Bridge on Wallagoot Lane, Wallagoot
- Wapengo Lake Bridge on Wapengo Lake Road, Wapengo
- Six Mile Creek Bridge on Mount Darragh Road, Candelo
For up-to-date information on the status of local roads and bridges, check Live Traffic NSW.
