Work is to be fast tracked on Parma Creek Bridge.
TEMPORARY repairs on the closed Parma Creek Bridge, at Falls Creek will begin next week, with Shoalhaven City Council anticipating it will be able to reopen one lane to traffic by Easter.
Council closed the eastern access to Parma Road, Falls Creek from the Princes Highway in late January following the discovery of structural damage to the bridge.
A community briefing on the repairs, attended by representatives from the affected Falls Creek Public School, P&C Association and local residents on Wednesday night, was told that temporary repairs will begin next week.
Council aims to have one lane of the bridge open by Easter.
The meeting was also told that council was going to fast track funding from the 2013/14 capital works program to enable construction of a replacement two lane bridge with pedestrian access.
Shoalhaven City Mayor, Joanna Gash said that with designs for the new bridge already completed council was currently negotiating with the supplier of the required precast components and council had also resolved to begin the tender process for the construction works in a bid to fast track the works.
“Council certainly understands the concerns of both the Falls Creek School and local residents in dealing with the closure of the Parma Road Bridge,” Mrs Gash said.
“Council has also put a number of measures in place to ensure construction works on the new bridge are able to be expedited as much as possible, including the fast tracked negotiation of precast components and immediate tendering for works.
“Council staff will continue to work closely with Falls Creek School and local residents in addressing the issues raised during the public briefing.”
