Two bridges in Narrandera Shire will be replaced under the NSW Government’s $500 million Fixing Country Bridges program to better connect regional communities and increase resilience to natural disasters.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said replacing old timber bridges means improved community connections to schools, towns and jobs, allowing easier movement of freight and delivering better outcomes for road safety.
“These two bridges in the Narrandera Shire represent a $1,083,532 investment in to improving our road network,” Ms Cooke said.
“This work will ease the financial burden on councils and create local jobs, while making it easier for our communities to travel safely.”
Narrandera Shire Council General Manager George Cowan said the work would make a huge difference to local communities.
“The improvement work on these two bridges will allow farmers in these areas to access their properties with machinery, which hasn’t been possible with the condition of the bridges, and residents in the area will see a significant improvement in access,” Mr Cowan said.
“Council is extremely grateful for the ongoing support of the NSW Government, it’s something we value greatly and I’m sure the community can see the benefits flowing through those grants.”
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the NSW Government had accelerated funding for the program with more than $290 million shared across 54 councils to replace 424 bridges in round one.
“That’s hundreds of fast-tracked projects that will start across the state in the next 12 months, helping councils to create and support jobs, drive productivity and keep our regional communities connected,” Mr Toole said.
Successful applications are timber bridges, located on a council-managed road which are not a heritage or truss bridge and are a priority asset to council. A second round of the program will be offered later this year.
For more information on the Fixing Country Bridges program and to view the full list of successful projects, please visit nswroads.work/fixingcountrybridges
