Wednesday, February 12, 2025

$21m bridge rebuild program begins in Port Macquarie

Work has begun this week on the replacement of 13 timber bridges across the Port Macquarie Hastings Council area.

Over the next 12 months, the bridges will be replaced with new concrete structures as part of $21 million of work, largely funded under the NSW Government’s Fixing Country Bridges Program.

Council says the new bridges will provide greater flood resilience, reduce future ongoing maintenance costs for PMHC and increase connectivity by allowing increased vehicle load limits.

The works program begins with the replacement of Logans Crossing Bridge – a vital road connection lost during the region’s March 2021 flood event.

“These bridges are built of concrete and other newer materials, making them stronger and able to carry heavier freight loads, and in some cases they are wider and higher,” said NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Jenny Aitchison.

“Overall, they will be more resilient and will cost Council less to maintain in the long term.”

Council has engaged two Major Contractors (Saunders Civilbuild, and Eire Constructions) to complete the works across two separate Contract packages. The full PMHC Fixing Country Bridges Program of works is anticipated to be open to traffic by early-2024.  

“Replacing ageing timber bridges forms a significant part of our commitment to continue the delivery of key road and bridge infrastructure across the LGA,” said Council Group Manager Project Delivery, Chris Favaloro.

“Courtesy of NSW and Australian Government funding, as well as Council investment, the replacement of these 13 structures will help reduce long-term maintenance costs to Council, and provide improved safety for pedestrians, vehicles and cyclists.

“It will also improve traffic flow and access for businesses and residents, and provide greater resilience to future natural disasters. We look forward to commencing work on Monday at Logans Crossing, with a view to having the full package of works complete by May 2024,” he said.

The new concrete structures, including nine bridges and four culverts, will be built to current Australian standards. The full list of bridges is available to view here.

Port Macquarie Hastings Council’s Fixing Country Bridges Program is co-funded, with $21,085,000 million funded by the NSW State Government, $385,000 from the Australian Government’s Bridges Renewal Program and $500,000 funded by Council.

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