Geggies Road Bridge in Rokewood will close next week to allow construction to begin on the replacement of the old bridge.
Located three kilometres east of the township, the current single lane bridge across Kuruc A Ruc Creek is load-limited to 2.5 tonnes, which prohibits future expansion of existing livestock businesses in the area.
Works will begin on Monday 22 February to construct a new two lane unlimited concrete bridge that will benefit approximately 30 primarily farming and grazing properties, allowing light and heavy vehicles full access to these important work sites. Families in the area who use the local school bus will also benefit from the project, with the new bridge to cut out the current 10km daily detour to avoid the existing structure.
The new Geggies Road Bridge is funded equally by Council and the Australian Government from Round 5 of its Bridges Renewal Program. At its December 2020 meeting, Council awarded the $390,857.70 construction contract for the new bridge to Golden Plains-based Begbies Contracting.
To allow major construction works to commence, Geggies Road will be closed to traffic and pedestrians at the bridge site from Monday 22 February 2021 to Saturday 5 June 2021. Detour signs directing traffic to use Rokewood-Shelford Road, Colac-Ballarat Road and Boyles Road will be in place, and Council requests residents and drivers allow extra time for trips through the area. The new bridge is expected to open in the middle of 2021.
Golden Plains Shire Mayor Cr Helena Kirby said replacing the old bridge was great news for the local community, and was another example of Council’s extensive 2021 infrastructure program.
“It is exciting to see works will soon get underway by a local firm on yet another of our bridge renewal projects. The local community around Rokewood will be pleased to see Geggies Road Bridge replaced with a safer and unrestricted double lane bridge, making it easier to access farming properties and reducing the current detour for the school bus.
“The replacement of Geggies Road Bridge is one of four bridge projects Golden Plains Shire Council will deliver in 2021. Council is pleased to partner with the Federal Government on this important project, as well as a number of our other record 25 major projects for the year.
“I thank the local community in advance for their patience with the road’s closure while the new bridge is built. I’m sure the finished result will be worth the small inconvenience of the upcoming detours.”
Member for Wannon, Dan Tehan MP said he was pleased to see works getting underway on the Geggies Road Bridge, with funding announced in September 2020 under Round 5 of the Bridges Renewal Program.
“Importantly this project will mean the local community will have access to safer and more reliable roads while making these routes more efficient, delivering long-term benefits to drivers, businesses and local communities, said Mr Tehan.
“The delivery of this project is another example of Morrison Government funded infrastructure projects supporting local jobs and helping cement our economic recovery.”
Works are currently underway on replacing Slate Quarry Road Bridge in Meredith and Reserve Road Bridge in Rokewood, and this year, Golden Plains Shire Council will also replace the Paddys Gully Road Bridge in Rokewood Junction