Published on Friday, 29 November 2024 at 3:23:47 PM
Walkaway-Nangetty Road Bridge is one step closer to being replaced with Council awarding the tender for construction of the project to Fortec.
City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Jerry Clune said the City had been working closely with the Australian and State Governments to design and fund the construction of the new bridge, budgeted at $8,995,573, that meets the current needs of the transport industry.
“Since the bridge was constructed in 1964 the transport industry has changed with the use of road trains up to 36.5meters long RAV7 (Restricted Access Vehicles) on regional roads now commonplace,” he said.
“The Nangetty-Walkaway Road is an important link to the commercial and industrial areas of the City and Port via the Geraldton-Mount Magnet Road.”
“This route services many freight operations including the grain-harvest, lime-sand and sand mining industries.
“Council is extremely pleased the Australian Government recognised the importance of this bridge to our community and economy.
“I’d like to thank them for providing $4,539,307 in funding from the new Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program (formerly the Bridges Renewal Program) to replace it.
“I’d also like to thank the State Government for providing $1 million in funding for the delivery of the new bridge,” Mayor Clune added.
Construction of the bridge replacement by Fortec, a specialised engineering and bridge construction company with substantial experience delivering projects for the public sector, will begin in early 2025.
Following regular infrastructure audits undertaken in early 2021, concerns were raised about the aged bridge’s capacity to carry heavy haulage vehicles up to RAV7. To ensure this critical freight route could remain open to the transport industry, in July 2021, the speed limit on the bridge was reduced to 60km/h.
More information on the project is available on the City’s website here
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