The new and improved Ridgewood Bridge, just outside Clunes, was officially opened to traffic this week, enhancing safety for motorists and delivering better outcomes for the community. The original bridge was built in the 1960’s and despite several major repairs since that time, it had reached the end of its life. The $4.3 million project was a joint initiative of the NSW Government and Lismore City Council, which supported more than 30 local subcontractors, suppliers and workers during construction. The new bridge is a two-span 8m-long concrete bridge on driven steel pile foundations designed to provide unhindered clearance over Coopers Creek. The deck height of the bridge is also 1.8m higher than the previous bridge. Council engaged Davbridge Constructions Pty Ltd to build the project.
The Fixing Country Bridges Program aims to finance the replacement of timber bridges in regional and rural areas of NSW. Under Round 1 of this State Government initiative, Lismore City Council has secured nearly $10 million to replace 10 aging wooden bridges across the LGA.
The slated wooden bridges will be replaced with concrete structures, enhancing their safety and resilience to natural disasters. These bridges serve as crucial access points for local farming communities and connect villages, providing residents with easy access to workplaces, schools and healthcare facilities.
The 10 bridges earmarked for replacement are:
Furthermore, the Federal Government contributed $300,000 towards replacing Bungabbee Bridge, with additional funding allocated for Town Bridge replacement.
Construction on these bridges commenced in 2022.