NSW Government will fund part of cost to replace important local bridge which had load limit imposed due to dilapidation
By Brad Gardner | December 2, 2010
The NSW Government will fund part of the cost to replace an important local bridge which has had load limits imposed on it due to dilapidation.
Roads Minister David Borger says the Government will give the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council $2.8 million to replace the Stingray Creek bridge that links North Haven and Laurieton, south of Port Macquarie.
Borger says the existing bridge carries about 9000 vehicles a day and that truck and bus operations have been significantly affected by its decline.
“This bridge is in a severe state of disrepair and the council has been forced to impose a load limit of 18 tonnes, restricting commerce in the area,” he says.
Borger says the council told him it could build a new bridge for $12 million. The NSW Government previously gave $3.2 million to the council to spend on a bridge replacement.
According to Borger, it is unviable to repair or change the existing bridge to improve its ability to carry heavier loads.
The new funding from the Government will come with conditions, with Borger saying the council will need to offset the $2.8 million figure by deferring other non-critical activities in the Port Macquarie region.
“I am happy to work through these details with the member for Port Macquarie and the Roads and Traffic Authority,” he says.