Bridge Works Coming to an End
July 27, 2007: Workers have battled four seasons in four months, but the finishing touches are taking place at Meakers Gully Bridge at Jellat Jellat.
The major work has seen the replacement of the old wooden bridge with a concrete structure that will stand the test of time. Council has approved local contractor RD Miller Pty Ltd to carry out replacement works on the bridge.
Council’s Engineering Services Director Doug Mein said the work had been a slow process because of the large amount of rain falling in the Bega area over the last few months.
“There have certainly been some testing conditions, but we have continued to make progress,” Mr Mein said.
“We appreciate the patience of motorists on the Bega Tathra Road during this time.
“With weather conditions improving it has been all systems go, and we are hopeful of completing the contract and the road works within the next four weeks with the removal of the detour and completion of the restoration works by the end of September.”
The replacement of Meakers Gully bridge is expected to cost about $260,000. The work included traffic and sediment control, excavation, the construction of a rock fill working platform and the cast in-situ concrete ground slab, placement of the precast box culverts and link slabs supplied by Bega Valley Shire Council and the construction of cast in-situ concrete wing walls and head walls.
With the bridge structure completed work will focus on the construction of the road over the bridge and across the adjacent Creamery Gully. The Creamery Gully Bridge has been replaced by Council staff using concrete pipes.
“We are hopeful, that coming into spring we will see the roadworks at Creamery Gully and Meakers Gully run smoothly,” Mr Mein said.
“Council staff and our contractors have been working in pretty adverse conditions, but I am sure motorists will be pleased with the final results.”
The work has been made possible through Council loans and some funding under the State Government’s timber bridge replacement partnership and the Federal Government’s roads to recovery program. The total project to replace both bridges is estimated at around $600,000.00.
