Lismore City Mayor Steve Krieg today opened the new Tucki Creek Bridge at Tucki Tucki which was replaced due to safety issues.
Our specialist Bridge Crew replaced the ageing wooden bridge with a new 12.1m x 4.8m single span concrete structure. This new structure founded on concrete driven piles has been designed and constructed to achieve a 100-year design life while improving its flood immunity and safety for local farmers and truck drivers.
“This is great news for our community. The new bridge will ensure that our farmers can get their produce to markets and improves the connectivity across our whole Local Government Area,” he said.
“Importantly, Council has ‘Built Back Better’ by improving the resilience of the bridge to flooding.”
Council has its own bridge construction and maintenance crew which have the knowledge and experience to deliver construction projects, as well as maintain our existing timber bridge networks which is a specialist skill.
Funded by the State Government, the bridge is the third of ten aging wooden bridges Council is replacing thanks to a $11 million grant under the Fixing Country Bridges program.
Minister Farraway said the $500 million Fixing Country Bridges program is replacing timber bridges across the state with more reliable structures that will improve access throughout local communities.
“Last week we announced the first timber bridges that will receive funding through Round Two of the program. In Round 1, funding was awarded to councils to replace more than 400 timber bridges across 54 LGAs,” he said.
“With each bridge replaced, we’re opening up more efficient routes for heavy vehicles from freight to the local school bus and RFS tankers.
Improving access for freight companies helps them to reduce their operational costs, which will ultimately reduce costs for NSW families when buying the goods at the local supermarket.”
Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said the bridge renewal program is a great initiative that all community members benefit from.
“It’s great to see another one completed – that’s three down – and powering on with the rest. I thank Minister Farraway for being here to officiate,” she said.
This project has helped support 20 local jobs over the three months construction was carried out, including five full-time positions.
Council, and our Bridge crew, would like to thank the owners of the surrounding properties for their patience and understanding during construction.
Picture: Three down, seven to go. Locals and Council bridge workers celebrate the opening of Tucki Creek Bridge
