Little bridge getting big upgrade

TRAFFIC along Geggies Road at Rokewood will be interrupted from next week as work begins to replace the bridge over Kuruc A Ruc Creek.

The current bridge is single-lane with a 40kph speed limit and 2.5-tonne load capacity, the replacement will be two-lane with no load limit.

Costing just under $400,000, the upgrade is set to benefit about 30 mostly farming families in the area and mean heavy machinery will be better able to access properties.

Currently the school bus also travels about 10 kilometres around the bridge to avoid the span which has no guard rails.

“The local community around Rokewood will be pleased to see Geggies Road Bridge replaced with a safer and unrestricted double lane bridge, making it easier to access farming properties and reducing the current detour for the school bus,” said Golden Plains Shire mayor Cr Helena Kirby.

Access across the Geggies Road Bridge will be restricted from Monday, 22 February until early June with detours around the site via Rokewood-Shelford Road, Colac-Ballarat Road and Boyles Road.

Money for the work on the project is a 50/50 split between the Shire and Federal Government through the Bridges Renewal Program, with Golden Plains based construction company Begbies Contracting undertaking the work.

“It is exciting to see works will soon get underway by a local firm on yet another of our bridge renewal projects,” said Cr Kirby.

“I thank the local community in advance for their patience with the road’s closure while the new bridge is built. I’m sure the finished result will be worth the small inconvenience of the upcoming detours.”

The replacement of the Geggies Road Bridge is one of four taking place in the Shire this year.

Already underway are works on Reserve Road bridge, also at Rokewood, and Slate Quarry Road bridge at Meredith, while Paddys Gully Road bridge in Rokewood Junction will start later in the year.

“The replacement of Geggies Road Bridge is one of four bridge projects Golden Plains Shire Council will deliver in 2021,” Cr Kirby said.

“Council is pleased to partner with the Federal Government on this important project, as well as a number of our other record 25 major projects for the year.