Work to enhance the structural capacity of timber piles on three Wallaga Lake Bridge piers in New South Wales will start next week, with the vital community link to remain open during works.
Cassandra Ffrench, Regional Director of Transport for NSW said site set-up will start Monday 19 May, with the diving crew arriving on site a week later.
“This work follows last year’s mammoth effort to complete extensive repairs to the bridge to ensure it remains safe and operational well into the future, and this time will not impact access to Payne’s Island,” she said.
“During essential maintenance work carried out last year, a specialist diving crew installed a new jacket strengthening system to 52 of the 69 bridge piles.
“The remaining piles still need to be wrapped with the same carbon fibre composite material filled with grout, which has been used extensively in sensitive marine environments across America and various regions in Australia.”
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A specialist diving crew has been contracted to complete the work under the bridge to install the jacket system to restore the structural capacity of the remaining timber piles.
Ffrench said the most impactful major work on the bridge was completed during last year’s bridge closures completed in September 2024.
“Work completed in the closures last year to restore the bridge means we can implement a temporary bracing system that will allow the bridge to remain open for this upcoming work,” she said.
“We have used the feedback received during extensive consultation for the work carried out last year to develop the best timeline and an approach that will keep the bridge open throughout the final pile remediation work.
“Traffic access to the bridge will be maintained for vehicles up to six tonnes to minimise impacts to community and visitor movements while work is carried out.
“There will be special provisions to allow access for school buses in the mornings and afternoons, and emergency vehicles under a reduced speed limit and escort.”
The community feedback report following the extensive work completed last year is now available on the website.
For more information, visit: www.transport.nsw.gov.au
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