By TANIA PHILLIPS
CONSTRUCTION is well under way on the new Bookookoorara Bridge in the Tenterfield shire.
Tenterfield Mayor Peter Petty said the bridge is a prototype and its success could potentially lead to a cost effective revolution in small bridge replacement right across the state and, indeed, Australia-wide.
Roads and Maritime Services, the NSW State Government and Federal Government are watching the bridge construction process closely.
He said local, State and Federal Governments are all struggling with replacement costs for the hundreds of old and deteriorated timber bridges within their road networks.
“In the case of Tenterfield shire, there are 150 bridges that council is responsible to fund and maintain,” councillor Petty said.
He said residents had been eagerly watching as the new bridge over the Bookookoorara Creek on Mt Lindesay Road took shape.
“Once the bridge piles were installed, the construction of the bridge has gone ahead in leaps and bounds and is on track to be completed by 28 June,” he said.
“The footings, piles and headstocks, abutments and precast modular deck units are now in place with large rocks placed at each abutment for scour protection.
“Following completion of the bridge itself, council staff will commence works on the construction and sealing of the road approaches.”
The Bookookoorara Bridge is being built in conjunction with Roads and Maritime Services Tenterfield Shire Council, the NSW Government and the Federal Government each providing $350,000.
Councillor Petty said the new design provides a simple and easy-to-build bridge to deliver cost savings by using standardised, prefabricated materials which can be easily managed by council bridge crews.
In addition, technical manuals are provided to guide council staff during the planning, design and construction process.
