Work on the replacement of the old Dumaresq Creek Bridge began today, as part of Round Four of the Federal Government's Bridge Renewal Program.
The $686,000 project, which is jointly funded by Armidale Regional Council and the Federal Government, will see the existing timber bridge on Cookes Road replaced with a solid concrete structure.
Armidale Regional Council's General Manager James Roncon said the project will play a huge role in future-proofing the region.
"This new bridge will service the Armidale region for the next 100 years, deliveringa safe road for the whole community," said Mr Roncon.
"The North-Eastern area of Armidale is expanding rapidly, so it is crucial we have the best infrastructure in place to meet the needs of our growing population."
The Dumaresq Creek Bridge is located on Cookes Road between Kirkwood Street and Willow Way on the outskirts of Armidale and will provide a safe route for heavy vehicles.
"This bridge replacement will take away the need for a load limit which will give heavy vehicles coming from the surrounding rural areas a safe route that bypasses the city centre," said Mr Roncon.
The replacement will see the bridge upgraded to two lanes, and will have a pedestrian bridge and a footpath connecting to the existing cycleway.
Construction is expected to be complete by mid-March, and Cookes Road will remain closed between Willow Way and Kirkwood Street for the entirety of the project with diversions in place.
Since the Bridge Renewal Program was adopted by Council in 2017, nine bridges have been upgraded, five have been partially replaced and three are currently being fixed. Four are under Fixing Country Bridges applications, and 19 have been listed and prioritised for replacement.
"Armidale Regional Council is making the Bridge Renewal Program a priority project, and this can be seen by the work we have already done and future work that is scheduled," said Mr Roncon.
"We recently completed the replacement of Shingle Hut Bridge on Castledoyle Road, and Pint Pot Bridge on Rockvale Road is currently under construction and is due to be complete by the end of February."
Martin's Gully Bridge on Shambrook Avenue will also be replaced as part of Round Five of the Bridge Renewal Program, and is currently in pre-design phase. This is due to go out to tender this month.
