Work to upgrade the sewer rising main along Wollumbin Street Bridge at Murwillumbah is progressing well, with the project running ahead of schedule.
With the aim of completing the project ahead of the start of the school term next week, Council will fast-track the work schedule even further, by extending working hours over this coming Friday, Saturday and Sunday if required.
Manager Infrastructure Delivery Tim Mackney said crews were able to advance the works ahead of schedule due to the better than expected condition of the bridge pipe fittings, dry weather and extended 12-hour workdays.
"Based on community feedback and the significant strides we've made to date, we will now be working on Friday 6 October and possibly over the weekend of 7 and 8 October, maintaining the 12-hour workdays from 6 am to 6 pm," Mr Mackney said.
"This should allow us to complete the project before the start of the school term on Monday, significantly reducing the anticipated timeline of the project.
"The decision to implement 12-hour workdays has been a key factor in our accelerated progress. Thanks to the dedication of our hardworking crews and favourable weather conditions, we're now running ahead of schedule – with the potential to reduce the works requiring lane closure by almost two weeks."
Mr Mackney said as of the end of shift yesterday (4 October), approximately 75% of the total pipes had been successfully installed, despite delays caused by a significant motor vehicle accident on Kyogle Road last week.
"Our teams have been working tirelessly to ensure the efficient completion of this project. We understand the importance of minimising disruption to our community, especially with the school term around the corner," he said.
"There have been questions from the community whether these works could have been undertaken at night. Nightworks were considered due to the volume of traffic along Wollumbin Street Bridge, however, this work is complicated and our crews are working above and below the bridge in a restricted area, rendering nightworks with artificial lighting unsuitable.
"Workers' safety is paramount and conducting works during the day reduced some of the potential risks associated with working at height, over water and with mobile plant and traffic."
To ensure the safety of motorists and pedestrians during work hours, traffic control measures will remain in place at the intersections of Cane Road and Tweed Valley Way and Tumbulgum Road and Cane Road.
At the start of the project, Council's road maintenance crews patched the damaged section in the outbound lane of the bridge, near the roundabout. This is a temporary fix, with permanent repairs to be handled by Transport for NSW at the end of October.
"We appreciate your continued patience and cooperation as we work to complete these essential infrastructure improvements," Mr Mackney said.
"We will continue to keep the community informed about traffic arrangements through the Tweed Link and via our social media channels and the publication of detour maps."
