Work on Lake Macquarie’s new Weir Road Bridge, connecting Barnsley and Teralba, is a step closer with Lake Macquarie City Council announcing the appointment of the project’s main works contractor.
Robson Civil Projects will deliver the multi-million-dollar bridge project. The works involve the construction of a new dual-lane bridge, road realignment works and the construction of a 3m-wide shared pathway on the northern side of the bridge.
Lake Macquarie Mayor, Kay Fraser said the new bridge would be fit for purpose for 100 years.
“Once complete, it will enable a reliable and safe passage for motorists to travel between Barnsley and Teralba, no matter the weather conditions,” she said.
Robson Civil Projects Division Manager, Chris Janetzki said they were very proud to be named the main works contractor for the project.
“Robson Civil Projects are very excited to be involved in this project and we look forward to delivering a quality product for the Lake Macquarie Community,” Mr Janetzki said.
Works on the bridge are expected to begin in late August 2021. The new bridge is expected to be operational in mid-2022.
Council’s Asset Manager, Helen Plummer said following extensive investigations, the weir crossing on The Weir Road at Barnsley will remain permanently closed to protect motorists.
“The weir was damaged earlier this year during a storm event and has remained closed to the public since,” Ms Plummer said.
“The latest engineer assessments of the weir indicate it is unsafe for continued use by the community. Investigations show there are a range of structural issues, such as scour, undermining and damaged asphalt, that would put the public at risk if we were to re-open access.
“Rehabilitation works on the existing weir are impractical due to the significant cost and length of time required to repair the structure to make it safe. We appreciate the community’s understanding regarding this decision and apologise for the inconvenience of the closure.”
The project is jointly funded with the Australian Government committing $4.7 million towards the new bridge and Council funding the remainder of the project.
