Bridge replacement to improve safety in rural NSW

Safety will be improved across the Mongarlowe River north of Braidwood in NSW, following the replacement of the Charleyong Bridge.

The bridge will be replaced as part of the NSW Government’s Bridges for the Bush program to meet heavy vehicle requirements and improve motorists’ safety.

The NSW Government has allocated $2.15 million for the project, on top of $500,000 last year, to continue planning the new bridge on Nerriga Road, which connects Braidwood and Nowra via Nerriga.

Safety to be improved with Charleyong Bridge to be replaced

“Charleyong Bridge is a single span allan truss timber bridge built in 1901 and needs to be replaced,” said Member for Monaro John Barilaro in a statement.

“Roads and Maritime Services considered a number of factors including safety, future maintenance requirements and costs before deciding a new bridge was the best option, with the old bridge to be removed.”

Mr. Barilaro said that a preferred option and review of environmental factors (REF) has now been completed and is on display for community comment until Friday 26 August.

“The proposed work includes building a new wider bridge upstream of the existing bridge, removal of the old bridge and building around 1.4 kilometres of new road approaches to improve safety for motorists,” he added.

“Once removed the bridge’s timber will be recycled and used in the maintenance of other timber truss bridges where possible.”

“Roads and Maritime will continue to work closely with Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council and other stakeholders to carry out planning to replace the bridge.”

The NSW Government allocated $64 million in 2016/17 to the Bridges for the Bush program, which aims to replace 17 bridges in the next five years in rural and regional NSW.

Work on the bridge is expected to start in 2019.