February 2, 2015
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has backed a campaign to replace the Bosworth Rd bridge in Bairnsdale.
Mr Chester said he strongly welcomed East Gippsland Shire Council’s application for Federal Government funding, and he would lobby Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss to strongly consider the project for funding under the Bridges Renewal Program.
The Bridges Renewal Program is a $300 million, five year funding program to cover up to 50 per cent of repair and replacements costs for bridges across the nation.
Mr Chester said rebuilding the Bosworth Rd bridge would help boost productivity and save time for motorists.
“The Bosworth Rd bridge is an important transport link that connects two of Bairnsdale’s main freight corridors with the CBD and East Gippsland Livestock Exchange,” Mr Chester said.
“The bridge is also an important connection to the Bairnsdale Industrial Precinct, which has seen significant growth in the number of tenants in the past five years.
“If the bridge replacement was to be funded, it would enable a new structure that would be able to carry B-double trucks, livestock carriers and waste trucks accessing the Bairnsdale landfill.”
The Bosworth Rd bridge was built in 1955 and was once the main entry to the livestock exchange. However, it has been unable to cope with increased loads and has been closed in both directions, with traffic diverted through Bairnsdale’s Main Street.
The replacement would create a two-lane steel/concrete bridge, rather than the current one-lane timber structure.
East Gippsland Shire Council has applied for $342,000 in Federal Government funding. The total cost is expected to be about $685,000.
CAPTION: Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester will campaign on behalf of East Gippsland Shire Council to secure federal funds for a replacement of the Bosworth Rd bridge in Bairnsdale.
