Project Name: Construction of Baker's Creek Bridge
Contract Value: $7.44 million (combined value of Baker's, Boorolong, and Laura Creek Bridge Renewal Program)
Funded by: Transport for NSW Fixing Country Bridges program and Australian Government Bridges Renewal Program
Project Managed by: Armidale Regional Council (ARC)
Background:
Armidale Regional Council has secured funding for construction of Bakers, Boorolong and Laura Creek bridges through Transport for NSW Fixing Country Bridges program and Australian Government Bridges Renewal Program.
Existing timber bridges have deteriorated and our latest bridge assessments call for significant restrictions of load and speed limits, affecting the use by large commercial transport on these bridges. Therefore, it has become a priority to replace these bridges to ensure road safety and maintain the quality of road network in the region.
ARC has undertaken tender process and this tender was awarded to Bedrule Pty Ltd trading as TOBCO in the council meeting held on 26 April 2023 for $6,761,516.22 excl.GST for construction of all three bridges. Having fulfilled contractual obligations, the site possession granted commencement of the project on 24 July 2023. All the three bridges will be completed and open to traffic by 14 June 2024.
Bakers Creek Bridge:
The proposed activity is located over Bakers Creek on Old Hillgrove Road, Hillgrove. The existing timber bridge will be replaced by a single lane 32.7m long prestressed concrete girder bridge. Old Hillgrove Road will be closed near the activity location and a detour will be in place via Waterfall Way (B78) – Stockton Road - Old Hillgrove Road during the removal of existing of Timber Bridge and construction of new concrete bridge. The scope of works include site establishment, traffic management, site clearing, temporary works, demolition and disposal of the existing bridge structure, earthworks, piling, construction of abutments, piers and headstocks, installation of pre-stressed concrete girders, concrete deck construction, reconstruction of the approach road, installation of signage and line marking, site remediation and dis establishment. The construction period is expected to extend for approximately 22 weeks (weather dependent) commencing in early December 2023 and forecasting to finish before May 2024.