📋 Tender Overview
A new 1 million bridge has been officially opened in the Dungog Shire as part of a 23 bridge replacement program funded through the NSW Governments Fixing Country Bridges program. Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the opening of Archinals Bridge is a milestone worth celebrating as part of Dungog Shires massive program to replace old timber bridges with new concrete ones. We can now see the tangible benefits of the NSW Governments 19 million dollar Fixing Country Bridges investment in the Dungog Shire Mr Farraway said. Fixing Country Bridges is a 500 million NSW Government program that helps councils replace ageing timber structures with concrete bridges that can better withstand extreme weather events and can be used by larger vehicles. Bridges play a critical role in the economic and social wellbeing of a community. Better bridges mean improved access to schools towns hospitals and jobs and productivity benefits for farmers and freight transporters Mr Farraway said Mayor of Dungog Shire Council John Connors thanked the NSW Government for the 19 million funding under Fixing Country Bridges which was transforming the shire through stronger safer bridges built with modern materials. We are working hard to keep Dungog connected following the destructive floods earlier this year. Theres never been a more important time to invest in the resilience of Dungogs transport connections Cr Connors said. The new Archinals Bridge on Allyn Creek Road near Eccleston replaces a timber bridge which was built in 1940 for 2000 and was named after the Archinal family whose land surrounded the original bridge. Long-time Dungog Shire resident Ruby Lawrence nee Archinal was front and centre at the original bridge opening and said she was delighted to see the new 1.07 million upgraded version. I was invited to cut the ribbon at the original opening as I was in attendance with my family. As a little girl it was quite an experience Mrs Lawrence said. Before the timber bridge was built we would have to cross on foot which was not ideal in the wet weather. The original project in 1940 was part of an initiative to bridge the 10 river crossings between Gresford and the Upper Allyn with the aim to provide all weather roads for its residents. Similarly today the Dungog Shires 23 bridge replacements under the Fixing Country Bridges program will ensure better and more resilient road access for farmers freight local residents and tourists. Five of the 23 bridges in Dungog Shire are open to traffic and two are currently under construction. The remaining sixteen bridges are in the planning and design phases. The council is anticipating it will complete all 23 bridges by 2024 weather permitting.
