Cessnock City Council has placed a height restriction on vehicles using Frame Drive Bridge at Abermain to ensure public safety.
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Council identified severe damage to a number of structural elements on the bridge in August, last year, and a five-tonne load limit and alternative route signage was put in place.
Council took this new course of action because drivers of large vehicles ignored the load limit signage and continued to cross the bridge.
“We understand the placing of restrictions is inconvenient to motorists and residents, but we need the community to understand these limits are about mitigating public risk,” director of works and infrastructure Justin Fitzpatrick-Barr said.
A number of new load limits had been applied to local bridges after council undertook formal structural assessments on a further 14 timber bridges in the area.
“Public safety is at the forefront of these restrictions. It would be irresponsible to place undue risk on motorists by ignoring the facts given to us,” Mr Fitzpatrick-Barr said.
A forward works program will be reviewed once bridge inspections and assessments are completed for council’s remaining timber bridge assets.
“In the case of Frame Drive Bridge, we have been in ongoing discussions with Roads and Maritime Services in an effort to resolve an issue that has been exacerbated by increased traffic volumes since the opening of the Hunter Expressway,” Mr Fitzpatrick-Barr said.
The preliminary cost estimate to upgrade Frame Drive Bridge to a two-lane concrete bridge-with an adjoining pedestrian path and associated road works is $3.9 million.