Work to start on Cooranbong Bridge
12th July 2021
WORK TO START ON COORANBONG BRIDGE Some great news (finally!) for Cooranbong residents. Lake Macquarie City Council has informed me today that work on strengthening the bridge will start this week. The $1.3m project will take about three months to complete, weather permitting. The full statement from the council reads:A $1.3 million project to strengthen Freemans Drive Bridge at Cooranbong is underway with works commencing on-site this week.
The improvement works involve strengthening the superstructure and deck of the bridge, which support the roadway, to increase the load capacity of the bridge and ensure longevity of the structure.
Lake Macquarie City Council’s Asset Manager Helen Plummer said safety is the number one priority for Council and regular inspections are carried out to ensure bridges across the city remain safe at all times.
“The upgrade is a necessary step that needs to be taken now to improve safety for the 8000 motorists that cross the bridge every day, including heavy vehicles,” Ms Plummer said.
Ms Plummer thanked the community for their ongoing patience throughout the project.
“Following an inspection in late 2019, temporary traffic arrangements, including single-lane traffic and a temporary speed limit of 40km/h, have been in place on the bridge to allow it to remain open to the majority of vehicles.
“The design and delivery of the strengthening works was more complex than we initially anticipated, resulting in some initial delays to the project. I am pleased to see the works are now underway.”
The works are expected to take three months to complete, weather and construction conditions pending.
The project is jointly funded by the Australian Government’s Bridges Renewal Program and Council.