Kyogle Council opened five upgraded bridges on Gradys Creek Road, and another on Lions Road, all funded under the Australian Government’s Bridges Renewal Program.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, the Hon Michael McCormack MP, said the $3.95 million investment saw Kyogle Council's bridge crews, with the help of piling and concreting sub-contractors, build five new composite-fibre bridges on Gradys Creek Road and one new steel truss bridge on Lions Road.
“All six upgraded bridges are dual-lane structures and are higher than the old, single-lane timber bridges they replaced, providing local residents, freight carriers and tourists with far safer and much more reliable access to the Council, particularly during and after heavy rains,” Mr McCormack said.
“The upgraded bridges deliver increased load limits, improving safety for motorists and providing greater certainty to local farmers and business operators in the Gradys Creek area.”
Kyogle Council Mayor Danielle Mulholland said that as well as providing improved access for local residents and business, the new bridges had the potential to boost tourism.
“The route also is much safer for the school bus run and the new bridges will drastically reduce the Council's maintenance costs,” Cr Mulholland said.
The upgrades were jointly funded by the Australian Government and Kyogle Council.
For more information on the Bridges Renewal Program, visit http://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/infrastructure_investment/bridges_renewal.aspx