Following months of inaction and mounting community frustration from motorists there has been a breakthrough on Lansdowne Bridge.
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Preparatory work is now underway at the site, with divers looking at under water cabling and other services that will be relocated in preparation for the bridge’s demolition later this year.
Environmental Impact Assessment approvals for a new bridge have been completed, which included gaining approvals from the Office of Environment and Heritage for the impact of the construction of the new bridge on neighbouring heritage properties.
Goulburn Mulwaree Mayor Bob Kirk said it would take another two years until the new bridge is finally built.
“It is a breakthrough to see something happening out there,” Cr Kirk said.
He said the demolition of the bridge would start by November this year and should be completed by Christmas.
“The tender for construction of the new bridge will be awarded early in the new year and this process is expected to be completed by April, 2018.”
Cr Kirk said construction would commence in July, 2018 and is expected to take one year.
“So it should be all be completed by July, 2019,” Cr Kirk said.
He said a “vigorous” level of representation was made to RMS representatives at the site by three levels of government to get the project moving.
“We have pulled out all stops to make this happen.”
“I think our representations will be very much appreciated by road users and the actual design is a terrific outcome. The Braidwood Road intersection will be upgraded as well.”
Member for Hume Angus Taylor welcomed the new bridge design.
“It will be virtually maintenance free for decades. The road surface from both ends will be improved dramatically,” he said.
“I know it's taken a while, but momentum is really building now. The Federal Government is investing $3.25 million towards the upgrade.”
The state government is also providing funding for the new bridge.
Member for Goulburn Pru Goward said recent work carried out at the site included geotechnical site investigations. Work to relocate utilities, construct a crane pad and work platform on the water would be carried out before demolition.
“Community feedback was considered in preparation of the concept design and a majority of the comments related to the closure of Forbes Street and support for a new bridge,” Ms Goward said.
“The new bridge will provide wider lanes, improved road approaches and a shared path across the bridge. It will improve freight movements with access for higher mass limit vehicles.”
Traffic into the city will still be diverted along Forbes St and this road will continue to be open to the public during construction of the new bridge.
Cr Kirk said the bank up that occurs at the roundabout on the corner of Sloane and Goldsmith St as a result of traffic moving along Forbes St and Blackshaw Rd would also be alleviated by the removal of the ability to make right-hand-turns into and out of the roundabout.
“The work to modify this roundabout is currently out to tender and work is expected to start on it at the end of August,” he said.