New Grafton Bridge on the home straight
28 August 2019
The new
Grafton bridge has been a hive of
activity this week with the final segment lifted into place almost 14
months after the first was placed in June last year.
Clarence Nationals MP Chris Gulaptis walked the span for the first time
today and likened the new
bridge to a Winx race.
“There’s a lot of excitement and anticipation at the beginning. The race
starts and she’s back in the field and the crowd murmurs but as she hits
her straps in the home straight and she hits the front with the finish
line in sight, excitement reaches fever pitch,” Mr Gulaptis said.
“To see the new bridge on the home straight with the finish line in
sight after a long race is just as momentous and we’re all very excited
about it.”
Mr Gulaptis said the bridge now stretched around 500 metres across the
Clarence River.
“All 176 of the
pre-cast segments have been fitted and secured into
place, forming seven of the nine bridge spans, allowing a continuous
reinforced concrete box girder section to take form.
“Work will now continue over the full length of the structure to
complete the bridge deck. This includes installing road and pedestrian
barriers, shared path railing, expansion joints, asphalt surfacing and
noise walls.
“Residents will also see work on the approaches to the bridge including
installing road pavement, medians and kerbs, shared footpaths, safety
barriers, landscaping, street lighting and line marking.”
“The project includes upgrading parts of the road network in Grafton and
South Grafton to connect the new bridge to the existing road network,”
Mr Gulaptis said.
“The new bridge will consist of two lanes but has been designed to be
increased to four lanes when traffic levels require it.
“Placing the final segment for the new bridge is an important milestone
for the $240 million project, delivered by the Nationals in the
NSW
Government.
“The bridge is a real boon for the local community being the single
biggest infrastructure spend the Jacaranda city has ever seen.
“I know everyone in the local community is looking forward to seeing it
opened to traffic, which is anticipated before Christmas,” he said.
Work to improve the Villiers Street roundabout is expected to be
complete by the end of September, weather permitting, while the new
roundabout at the intersection of the Pacific and Gwydir highways should
be complete during the first half of 2020.
Photo: Clarence Nationals MP Chris Gulaptis walked the span of the new Grafton
Bridge this morning. He is pictured with L-R: Clarence Valley Mayor - Cr
Jim Simmons, local businessman and Grafton Chamber rep Des Harvey,
Transport for NSW Senior Project Manager - Greg Nash and Fulton Hogan
Construction Manager, Aidan Thompson.
--ENDS--
Source: NSW Government - www.rms.nsw.gov.au
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