General News
8 April, 2022
Delays as bridge works start again
MOTORISTS are being advised to expect delays later this month when the Barron River bridge will undergo more welding to tackle cracks found in the structure.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads has advised that crews have inspected about 1000 locations with an under-bridge inspection unit to see if the bridge was performing as expected under two lanes of traffic.
“The majority of the inspected locations did not show fatigue cracks in the steel elements, however some small cracks were found at a few locations,” a spokesperson said.
“These cracks have been repaired and will be rewelded from Tuesday 26 April until Saturday 30 April 2022, when a specialised crew is available to do these works, weather permitting.”
For the safety of the crew and road users, the bridge will be reduced to one lane during the works from 7am to 5pm, with intermittent full closures of up to 15 minutes.
Other maintenance works on the bridge, that require a lane closure on the bridge between 9am and 3pm will be carried out on Monday 11 April and Monday 2 May.
Variable message signs will be in place to inform motorists about he changed traffic conditions.
Motorists should expect minor delays and plan their journeys accordingly.
The department has also started a planning study to investigate long-term solutions for the Barron River bridge.
The $2.1 million planning project will confirm the preferred alignment and scope of a replacement bridge over the river, including a viable delivery strategy that also considers the ongoing management and rehabilitation of the existing bridge.
