Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight, Melinda Pavey joined Member for Bega Andrew Constance in Batemans Bay today to announce geotechnical investigation work will start later this month as part of planning for a new bridge across the Clyde River at Batemans Bay.
Bega MP Andrew Constance said the geotechnical work will start on Monday 20 March and take around two months to complete, after earlier investigations including surveys, preliminary environmental reports and traffic modelling were carried out last year.
“This work is another step toward delivering a new bridge at Batemans Bay to improve journey times and safety for motorists,” Mr Constance said.
“During our peak periods we see traffic banked for kilometres, during maintenance and unforeseen issues with the bridge I see the inconvenience caused to residents.
“A new bridge will improve travel times and freight access and reduce the ongoing maintenance costs associated with the existing bridge, but my number one priority is improving the safety of residents in the event of an emergency.”
Mr Constance said the proposed new bridge would replace the existing bridge, which was built in 1956 and requires ongoing maintenance due to the age and complexity of the structure.
“The community will notice a barge with a drill rig near the bridge on the Clyde River, where work will be carried out.
“The result from the geotechnical studies will be used to determine the preferred option for the proposed bridge, which will be made available to the public later this year to provide the community with an opportunity to comment on the preferred options report.”
Minister Pavey said the existing bridge across the Clyde River caters to around 14,000 vehicles each day and up to 22,000 in peak holiday times.
“The proposed new bridge would improve freight access by allowing higher semi-trailers and B-doubles up to 26 metres in length to cross the river.
Mr Constance added that there will be no impact to traffic as a result of the geotechnical work, but marine signs and lights will be installed on the barge to allow vessels to safely navigate around it.
More information on the project can be found at www.rms.nsw.gov.au
Above: The Batemans Bay Bridge sourced from Batemans Bay History in Pictures
