Western Australia to pump funds into major bridgeworks in country areas to improve safety and travelling conditions
April 22, 2013
Western Australia will inject almost $2 million into its ailing country bridges to improve safety and travelling conditions and reduce maintenance costs.
Transport Minister Troy Buswell says $1.28 million will be spent on major repairs to Harris Bridge on the Brand Highway in the Wheatbelt north region.
Buswell says another $575,349 will go to refurbishing six timber bridges in the same region. The bridges to receive funding are located on Northam-Pithara, Telegraph, Frenches, York-Tammin, Warding and Muluckine roads.
The money for Harris Bridge will be spent on replacing the deck, structural and pile repairs, and related timber works. The bridge is located over Caren Caren Brook.
“These works will improve community road safety as the speed limit across this area had been reduced for almost a year due to the gradual deterioration and disrepair of the bridge,” Buswell says.
“Other benefits of this project include increasing the lifespan of the bridge and lower long-term maintenance costs.”
Work is scheduled to start this month with estimated completion by July.
Buswell says funding for the six timber bridges will be spent on strengthening and improvement works.
He says the projects will improve the condition of the road network within the shires of Goomalling, Toodyay, Northam and York and safety for all road users.
“These refurbishment works will increase the service life of the bridges and decrease their overall maintenance costs,” Buswell says.
Works are scheduled to be completed by late May 2013.
