Timber Bridge Project
Updated: 10 September 2019 (4:40pm)
In June 2018 Council alerted residents that inspections of Council’s ageing timber bridges have indicated that the imposition of load limits will be required for some of these structures to ensure they do not fail before rectification works or total replacement can be carried out.
Council have now resolved to go ahead with the implementation of the bridge load limits.
The information below relates to the 16 bridges requiring load limits and 2 others that are currently under remedial works.
The information will be updated regularly to provide a real indication to road users of the current status of the various bridges. You are encouraged to use this website link to obtain relevant information.
Please be reassured that Council is continuing to lobby both the State and Federal Governments for funding to assist with timber bridge repairs, however letters of advocacy to assist are welcome.
Also note the order of priority will change in 2019 after the balance of bridge inspection and reporting is completed and funding/budgets are reconsidered.
COMMUNITY MEETINGS
Community meetings have now been completed. Please see below a copy of the presentation that was provided at the Community Meetings.
Media Release – Council has Not Dropped the Ball on Bridges – 5 July 2019
Timber Bridges – Way forward for Tenterfield Council – Community Update
Media Release – Funding Announced for Tenterfield’s Timber Bridges – 18 January 2019
CURRENT BRIDGE INFORMATION
Bridge No 67203
Unnamed Creek – Paddys Flat Road (North)
Works: Temporary bridge now in place.
Current: Speed limit in place
Bridge No 67161 – Load Limit – 14 t GVM, maximum axle load of 6 t
Unnamed Creek – Paddys Flat Road South
Works: Placement of temporary bridge has been suspended to allow further testing of the current structure.
Current: Load limit and speed restriction signage to remain until further assessment has been made.
Detour: Old Bruxner Road to access the Bruxner Highway.
Bridge No 51544
Five Mile Creek – Beaury Creek Road
Works: Complete.
Bridge No 75411
Woodenbong Creek – White Swamp Road
Works: Bridge works commenced with side track in place.
Current: Speed limit signage in place.
Completion: Anticipated end July 2019
Bridge No 67202 – Load Limit – 10 t GVM, maximum axle load of 5 t
Kangaroo Creek – Paddys Flat Road (North)
Works: Grant funding approved for bridge replacement. Interim works deferred.
Current: Load limit and speed restriction signage now in place.
Detour: Bruxner Highway to Clarence Way to Urbenville
To Commence: Tender process to commence 2019/2020 financial year.
Bridge No 73901 – No application of load limit for present
Deepwater River – Torrington Road
Works: Grant funding approved for bridge replacement (Federal Govt Bridges Renewal Program). Interim works deferred.
Current: Speed limits are in place to minimise dynamic load impacts on the bridge. In addition to signage, speed humps have now been installed.
To Commence: Tender process to commence 2019/2020 financial year.
Bridge No 51871
Hawkins Gully – Billirimba Road
Works: Complete.
Current: Speed limits remain in place to minimise dynamic load impacts on the bridge.
Bridge No 73903 – No application of load limit for present
Kangaroo Creek – Torrington Road
Works: Strengthening of abutment supports.
Current: Speed limits are being put in place to minimise dynamic load impacts on the bridge. In addition to signage, speed humps have now been installed.
To Commence: Abutment works – 1st quarter 2020
Bridge No 51542 – Load Limit – 30 tonne
Beaury Creek – Beaury Creek Road
Works: Strengthen with additional girders
Current: Load limit and speed restriction signage now in place.
To Commence: 2020
Bridge No 54511
Deepwater River – Castlerag Road
Works: Complete
Current: Speed limits are in place to minimise dynamic load impacts on the bridge.
Bridge No 72111 – Load Limit – Single axle vehicles, max axle load of 8 t
Blacksmith’s Creek – Sunnyside Loop Road
Works: Additional girders and continuous kerb boards
Current: Load limit and speed restriction signage now in force. In addition to signage, a speed hump has now been installed on the western side of the bridge.
Detour: Bruxner Highway
To Commence: 4th quarter 2020
Bridge No 62218 – Side track in place – Width Limit – 3.0 metres
Boonoo Boonoo River – Mt Lindesay Road
Works: Side track and temporary bridge are in place to allow for new bridge replacement. Funding for new bridge provided through State Govt Fixing Country Roads.
Current: Temporary road signage and speed restriction signage in place for the detour.
Detour: via Wallangarra and Stanthorpe – New England Highway
Bridge No 51543 – Load Limit – 11 t GVM, maximum axle load of 6 t
Boundary Creek – Beaury Creek Road
Works: Strengthen girders through larger kerb support beams.
Current: Load limit and speed restriction signage now in place,.
Detour: Urbenville, Woodenbong via Woodenbong Forest
To Commence: 3rd quarter 2019
Bridge No 61111
Emu Creek – Hootons Road
Works: Temporary bypass in place. Grant funding for new bridge replacement provided through State Govt Fixing Country Roads.
Current: Speed restriction signage currently in place on detour.
To Commence: 2019/2020 financial year.
Bridge No 52201 – Load Limit – 10 t GVM, maximum axle load of 5 t
Cataract River – Black Swamp Road
Works: Girder strengthening currently being undertaken.
Current: Load limit and speed restriction signage in force.
Detour: via Bruxner Highway or Mt Lindesay Road (school bus exempt)
To Commence: 2nd quarter 2019.
Bridge No 62431 – Load Limit – 16 t GVM, maximum axle load of 5 t
Washpool Creek – Leeches Gully Road
Works: TBA
Current: Load limit and speed restriction signage now in force.
Detour: Old Ballandean Road
To Commence: Lowest priority and subject to Govt funding
Bridge No 61112 – Load Limit – 9 t GVM, maximum axle load of 5 t
Clarence River – Hootons Road
Works: TBA
Current: Load limit and speed restriction signage now in force.
Detour: Bruxner Highway to Clarence Way to Urbenville
To Commence: By 2023
Bridge No 64521 – Load Limit – 5 t GVM
McLeods Creek – McLeods Creek Road
Works: Nil
Current: Load limit and speed restriction signage currently in place.
To Commence: TBA – lowest priority and subject to Govt funding