GTCC: Temporary Repair Works to Marlee Bridge

Thursday 10 December 2009
MEDIA RELEASE
Temporary repair work to commence on Marlee bridge

Greater Taree City Council’s contractors, the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA), will commence temporary work on Marlee bridge next Monday with the bridge to be closed to all traffic next Wednesday 16 December from 8am to 5.30pm, subject to weather.

Work will be completed by the end of day next Thursday 17 December. This closure is necessary to provide temporary supports in advance of additional works being undertaken after Christmas.

As a result of the temporary repair work and bridge closure next Wednesday all traffic will be detoured via the signposted Warawillah Road and Comboyne Road route. RTA work crews will be on site from Monday 14 December to commence the necessary work and vehicles two tonnes and under will still be able to cross the bridge on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, however, traffic control measures will be in place.

Greater Taree City Council’s Acting Director of Engineering, Mr Graham Schultz said that the work will involve two extra beams being placed each side of the three deteriorated beams to be replaced. The work will require the bridge deck to be jacked up at each beam location and the extra beams slid alongside. “Following installation of these extra beams the truss will be re-tested by Integrity Testing to determine if the load limit can be raised for use by increased tourist traffic over the Christmas holiday period. Integrity Testing are booked to do this re-test on Monday 21 December,” Mr Schultz said.

Mr Schultz added that the load limit will only be lifted if re-testing recommends so, and then the load limit signage will be changed accordingly. “Of course, all these dates are subject to the weather conditions.

“After Christmas, the RTA contractor will return to remove the extra temporary beams and the three cross beams which are in a bad condition, and replace them with new solid timber beams. Prior to this work commencing Council will advise the community of any necessary bridge closures. Once this work is completed, the truss will again be re-tested by Integrity Testing.”

Any public enquiries about this work can be directed to Council’s Works Engineer on 6592 5199.