When the Griffiths household runs out of milk, or forgets an essential item at the grocery store, there’s no longer a need to panic.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Chrystal and Peter Griffiths can now drive over the new Torryburn Bridge and leave the town within minutes.
And they cannot wipe the smiles off their faces.
The couple have spent the past 10 months feeling trapped in the town.
They were devastated when the original timber bridge, over the Allyn River, washed away during the April super storm and didn’t know how they would survive.
They were grateful to have a detour road through three private properties to come and go, but quickly became frustrated by the additional travel time.
“We didn’t go out unless we absolutely had to,” Mrs Griffiths said.
“If we ran out of milk we wouldn’t bother getting in the car to drive to Gresford … It was too much effort.
“You had to think twice, you had to ask yourself do I really want to go out.”
Mrs Griffiths said the couple chose to stay at home whenever possible because of the inconvenience.
“We put off going out so many times because of that detour road,” she said.
“We’d think I can’t be bothered, it’s too hard, it’s too much of a headache.”
The couple have only had one visitor at their Torryburn Road home since the bridge was lost.
They came at Christmas and while they said the route was “scenic” and “beautiful”, they couldn’t understand how residents commuted on it daily.
“Our friend haven’t been up since the flood,” Mrs Griffiths said.
NSW Roads Minister Duncan Gay and Upper Hunter MP Michael Johnsen officially opened the bridge on March 7.
Mr Johnsen praised Dungog council and contractors for building the bridge in less than a year, and opening it ahead of schedule.
The bridge. which was finished late last month, cost $1.5 million and was funded by the state government.
“The new road bridge is still a single lane bridge, but is wider, improving safety for all motorists and trucks, using this bridge daily,” Mr Johnsen said.
“The new road bridge is designed to withstand a similar sized flood event to last April, the largest on record at this location.”
Residents will celebrate the opening with a party at the bridge on March 11.
“It’s had a huge impact on everybody around here, it’s been a tough year,” Mrs Griffiths said.
“You didn’t go out you didn’t have visitors, but the new bridge is wonderful, oh it’s great, and we’ve got our lives back.”