SALTWATER Creek Bridge was re-opened to all traffic on Monday, following a complete reconstruction over the last three months.
The replacement of Saltwater Creek Bridge was listed as a high priority under Port Macquarie-Hastings Council’s Timber Bridge Replacement Program and was the fourth major bridge reconstruction on the schedule.
Mayor Peter Besseling said that despite being significantly impacted by the floods earlier in the year, the $1.7 million project was completed on time.
“The final asphalt works to the bridge deck and the approaches have been completed, which will allow Pembroke Road to be opened to traffic over the weekend and importantly the school buses will soon resume their normal route,” Cr Besseling said.
“The council crews who have worked on this project have faced major challenges, particularly through the floods, but they have really delivered a great result.”
The project involved the removal of the existing single lane timber bridge and the construction of a new dual lane concrete bridge. The bridge height was also raised to mitigate one in 20-year flooding issues.
“This bridge is an important link in connecting rural communities and replacing it is a milestone in the program to renew our aging timber bridge infrastructure,” Cr Besseling said.
“At a cost of $1.7 million to replace one bridge it puts into perspective the size of our infrastructure backlog issues and the need for council to continue pursuing all available funding sources for major infrastructure projects.”
