Source: Lismore City Council media release.
THE new and improved Fernside Bridge, on Fernside Road, was officially opened to traffic this week, enhancing safety for motorists and delivering better outcomes for the community.
The original three-span timber bridge, built in 1961, had reached the end of its life and was subject to a weight restriction due to its poor condition.
This has been replaced by a new 26m single-span concrete bridge, designed and constructed to the latest standards.
The $1.6 million project was a joint initiative of the NSW Government and Lismore City Council, which supported more than 30 local subcontractors, suppliers and workers during construction.
Mayor Steve Krieg, who opened the bridge alongside Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin, said the bridge on Fernside Road over Back Creek is a vital link for the residents of Fernside Road, providing their only access in and out.
“Importantly, Council has ‘Built Back Better’ by improving the resilience of the bridge to flooding by raising the deck level,” he said.
“This greatly improves the resilience of the bridge to future flooding and reduces the likelihood of members of our community becoming isolated. It also ensures our farmers can get their produce to markets and improves the connectivity across our whole Local Government Area.”
Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin MP said: “By investing in modern, resilient infrastructure like the Fernside Bridge, the NSW Government is building for the future.”
“This project ensures safe connections stay open for residents, farmers and businesses. It was great to have locals involved in construction and shows what can be achieved when state and local governments work together.”
Three other bridges have also been officially opened to traffic: Town Bridge on Town Road, Terania Creek, Boomerang Creek Bridge on Rosebank Road, Rosebank and Hensen Bridge on Hensen Road, Nimbin.
Town Bridge is a single-span, 40 m-long steel bridge and was the first of its kind to be built in the LGA. The individual steel superstructure components were incrementally joined together and launched out over the creek before being lowered onto their abutments, which are founded on bored, reinforced concrete piles.
Boomerang Creek Bridge is a two-span, 40m-long concrete bridge which provides a vital transport link to Corndale, Clunes and the wider community.
Hensen Bridge is a single-span 20m-long bridge and provides the only access in and out for the residents along Hensen Road. These projects were delivered for $2.4 million, $1.6 million and $626,645, respectively.
Council staff, along with specialist contractors, delivered these four new bridges, which were jointly funded by the NSW Government’s Fixing Country Bridges Program and Lismore City Council.
RIBBON CUTTING: Lismore MP Janelle Saffin officially opens the Fernside Bridge with Lismore City Mayor Cr Steve Krieg.
