Bridge closes as works begin

PADDYS Gully Road bridge at Rokewood Junction will be closed to traffic from the start of next week to allow for a major upgrade.

A reinforced concrete two-lane bridge that can accommodate heavy vehicles is set to replace the existing span over Mount Misery Creek.

The current bridge is steel and timber, in poor condition, and only allows for 10-tonne traffic.

Golden Plains Shire mayor Cr Helena Kirby welcomed the change which she said would benefit the Rokewood Junction community in the long term.

“It is exciting to see works will soon get underway on council’s fourth bridge renewal project of 2021,” she said.

“The local community will be pleased to see Paddys Gully Road Bridge replaced with a safer double-lane bridge, increasing access to this area of the Shire.

“To allow the new bridge to be built, the existing bridge needs to close for some time. I encourage all locals and businesses to allow extra travel time if they need to travel through the area and I’m sure the finished result will be worth the upcoming closure.”

Signs will be installed to warn or remind those nearby of the closure.

The Paddys Gully Road bridge replacement project has been funded by the municipality and Federal Government.

The Shire awarded the just under $580,000 worth of construction works to Golden Plains contractor Begbies, with the Commonwealth’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program covering about $320,000 of the total.

“Council is pleased to partner with the Federal Government to deliver this important project, and that a local firm has been commissioned to construct this vital infrastructure,” Cr Kirby said.

The bridge is expected to be back open for use by Friday, 24 December.