WORKS COMPLETE ON NEW BURRANGONG CREEK BRIDGE

December 6, 2017

Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke MP, announced today that works to replace the Burrangong Creek Bridge on Bribbaree Road are now complete. 

“Through the Restart NSW Fixing Country Roads program, the NSW Government has contributed $535,000 to the construction of a new bridge at Burrangong Creek, which will support the local communities of Thuddungra and Bribbaree,” Ms Cooke said.

“The Fixing Country Roads program provides targeted funding to local councils to repair and upgrade regional roads.

“This project will ensure that better connections are made from local farms and silos to regional roads and state highways.”

The new bridge removes the restrictions on B-double vehicle access, which resulted from the closure of the deteriorating timber bridge and the construction of a side track that was unsuitable for heavy vehicles. 

The new concrete bridge will eliminate the 20-kilometre detour that B-doubles previously had to take from Bribbaree Silo to Young.

Straighter alignment, elimination of vertical curves and increased pavement width on the bridge have also contributed to safety improvements for both pedestrians and vehicles.

Ms Cooke said she was proud the NSW Government had reserved $500 million for the Fixing Country Roads program over multiple funding rounds.

“Projects such as the new Burrangong Creek Bridge create economic benefits for industry, by removing pinch points and reducing constraints on the freight of goods across NSW and interstate,” Ms Cooke said.

The Burrangong Creek Bridge project, which also received $535,000 in funding through the Australian Government’s Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program, was managed by Hilltops Council.

Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke, said that the new bridge will generate positive economic and productivity benefits by removing heavy vehicle restrictions on Bribbaree Road and reducing the associated detours. 

“This bridge is vital for the transportation of grain freight from local farms, and allows agricultural products to be distributed much more efficiently,” Ms Cooke said.

“By improving the road network, we are saving local businesses time and money, and improving connections between the Thuddungra and Bribbaree areas and the Olympic and Hume highways.

“The Burrangong Creek Bridge project is just another example of the NSW Government getting on with the job of improving regional infrastructure."