Commuters and tourists through Burrill Lake can expect to see initial construction around the new Princes Highway bridge site from the end of the month.
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A site office to be located shortly will oversee the start of work, with an official sod turning in mid-March at the latest, according to NSW Roads and Maritime.
Western Australian company BGC Contracting was the successful tenderer among 16 submissions to replace the crossing.
During the project, one lane of traffic along the Highway will lead across the old bridge in each direction while the 290 metre structure is being built on a new alignment on the eastern side.
Roads and Maritime advises motorists they will be notified in advance of any changes to traffic conditions, with up to date information on electronic message signs beside the road.
“The new bridge will have a higher elevation to reduce the impact of flooding on the road and the new intersections will meet modern safety standards,” said Member for South Coast, Shelley Hancock.
The structure will be higher than the future one in 100 year flood level prediction.
The project will include roundabouts at either end of the new bridge to improve local road connectivity, and a pedestrian and cycle path across the bridge linking to the Ulladulla cycleway.
Five locations will enable pedestrians to safely cross the highway, including paths underneath both ends of the new bridge.
Resident Lisa Boisett out for a walk and cyclist Paul O’Brien from Termeil visiting his mother-in-law at Burrill like the design of new safe pathways for pedestrians and bikes, and think the new bridge will look great.
“It will be great to see the lake open again too,” said Mr O’Brien.
Perched on the concrete rail, local lad Codin O’Sullivan said “better fishing too”. One of the three joked it would also be higher for jumping off.
BGC Contracting will also remove the existing crossing and build a southern foreshore park once the new bridge is open to traffic.
Part of the most important transport corridor on the South Coast, the bridge is expected to be ready by early 2018, weather permitting.
The entire project is expected to cost about $58 million and is intended to improve the overall reliability of the Princes Highway by reducing future maintenance issues and costs, Mrs Hancock said.
Information is available to the public on the Roads and Maritime e-tender website.