Our Trusty Timber Bridges
Last modified: February 8, 2008 - 2:40 PM
As we travel along the country roads in Wingecarribee Shire, how many of us ever give a thought about the bridges we use along the way. We trust their strength and generally take them for granted as we smoothly cross a river or a deep gully, without as much as a bump. Bridges are just part of the journey.
But what would happen if one night all our bridges collapsed. Most people would be trapped in their town, village or farmhouse, wouldn't they? Bridges are the vital link. The safe and solid plank that allows us to traverse valleys or tracts of otherwise impassable terrain.
In Wingecarribee Shire, Council looks after 47 significant bridges along our local road network. Thirty of these are concrete and steel, with just 17 still made of traditional timber construction. The total replacement cost of these local road bridges is around six million dollars, with the replacement and maintenance at full cost to Council. Or more accurately, the ratepayers of Wingecarribee Shire.
Council's Road Engineers estimate it would cost closer to $10m to replace, if we built what was needed, as opposed to just replacing what is there now.
As well as the 47 bridges on local roads, there are 6 valued at $1.25m on regional roads in the Shire and a further 8 bridges on State roads, which are the responsibility of the Roads and Traffic Authority.
Contact details
Wingecarribee Shire Council
02 4868 0888 (ph)
02 4869 1203 (fax)
wscmail@wsc.nsw.gov.au
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