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Rehabilitated Bridge reopens on Mackeys Road

The bridge across Bennetts Creek linking two sections of Mackeys Road in Hazelwood South, reopened to traffic last Friday following its rehabilitation.

By Latrobe City Council - 16th March 2004 - Back to News

Latrobe City’s Construction Engineer Infrastructure Maintenance, Richard Brammall, said the existing timber decked bridge across the creek had been deemed unsuitable for current vehicular traffic and Mackeys Road had been closed for several months while the rehabilitation took place.

"The existing timber deck had been in poor condition and required replacement, and it was decided the upgrade should occur at the same time," Mr Brammall explained.

"The bridge was dismantled and completely rebuilt, strengthened with additional steel beams and a cast insitu reinforced concrete bridge deck added," Mr Brammall said.

"Once the concrete had cured, steel barrier railings and steel beam guard fences on the bridge approaches were installed," he explained.

Councillor Bob Smith said the reopening of the bridge would be welcomed by local residents.

"Mackeys Road Bridge was closed because it was not practicable to construct a side track within the road reserve. A number of mature eucalypts growing on the stream banks adjacent to the bridge would have needed to be removed to construct a side track," Cr Smith explained.

"A temporary bridge was however installed downstream of the bridge, to enable a local farmer with pasture on both sides of the creek to maintain his dairying business.

I’d specifically like to thank residents of Mackeys Road, Farrans Road and Sunnyview Road for their cooperation and understanding while the refurbishment took place. There were bound to be inconveniences experienced in having to detour in such circumstances," Cr Smith said.

Cr Smith said the rehabilitated bridge would provide access for modern vehicles that were far larger and heavier than those existing when the bridge was first constructed.

"While the volume of traffic using Mackeys road didn’t warrant creating a wider bridge across Bennetts Creek, rehabilitating the structure to accommodate modern day vehicle loads was important.

"At the same time, the bridge barriers were upgraded to higher than average steel barrier railings to accommodate any stock crossing the bridge," Cr Smith added.

Mr Brammall said that while the rehabilitated bridge had been reopened to traffic, some minor work had still to be undertaken. "The bridge approaches are still to be sealed, but this will be happening over the next couple of weeks," Mr Brammall said.

DN McInnes Pty Ltd was contracted by Latrobe City to carry out the bridge rehabilitation works. The works were funded from the Federal Government’s Roads to Recovery Program.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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