As forewarned, Tenterfield Shire Council is taking steps to impost load limits on its ageing timber bridges to extend their lives.
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A report will be considered at next Wednesday’s council meeting, August 22 which recommends the imposition of load limits to 14 of the shire’s timber bridges.
Speed zones of 20 km/hr are also proposed for the bridge sites, to slow vehicles sufficiently to allows the load to be gradually distributed across the bridge sections.
Mayor Peter Petty said temporary repairs to keep the timber bridges functional is not a cost-effective use of public money, and any temporary works on structures or alternative temporary access need to be planned and minimised to ensure available budgets are channelled towards the long term replacements as far as possible.
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He is assuring shire residents that council is acutely aware of the impact these limits will place on road users, but the risk cannot be ignored.
“We are particularly aware that the limits may place an additional burden on some already struggling with the dry conditions, but council needs to take action to ensure the safety of the bridge structure and provisions to ensure the bridge does not fail completely.
“Where there is scope to strengthen the structures without wholesale disassembly and structure replacement, council will be actively seeking to minimise the timeframe and impact of load limits and is currently investigating these options. This is our main priority right now.
“However, this work cannot be done overnight even though council will be devoting more staff and resources to dealing with this issue. To this end Council has set up a timber bridge strike force that involves all staff whose carriage it is to supply services regarding bridges to concentrate on this.
“Temporary, alternative bridge crossings are subject to Fisheries approvals as well as to time-related approvals and environmental considerations. Nothing will be overlooked, as our aim is to not only act in a sustainable manner and spend dollars wisely, but do our best not to unnecessarily impact stakeholders.”
Emergency service vehicles will be exempt from the load limits.
The order of priority will take into consideration:
- the road category (level ‘B’ roads and bridges should be dealt with before level ‘C’, etc.),
- level of use by school buses and commercial truck traffic,
- the options for alternative routes,
- the relative likely personal injury or property damage consequences of a bridge failure presented by the bridge locality (for example existing high drop off locations versus shallow gradual crossings),
- and the scope or otherwise for cost-effective interim temporary solutions.
Council is encouraging impacted residents to voice their opinion in writing (particularly to The Hon Thomas George MP and The Hon Barnaby Joyce MP) to validate the need for more funds to be channelled into the support and servicing of rural communities and councils like Tenterfield with major infrastructure issues.
Cr Petty said council has met with Minister for Roads, Maritime & Freight Melinda Pavey to discuss funding grant opportunities, and has taken the matter up at every available opportunity at both state and federal levels.
“Whilst we are hopeful of gaining assistance, any extra advocacy helps.”