Twenty-two bridges in the Bega electorate will be replaced or receive significant repairs under a $24million investment announced by MP Andrew Constance this week.
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The work comes under the NSW government's $500m Fixing Country Bridges program to better connect regional communities and increase resilience to natural disasters.
Mr Constance said the investment into replacing ageing timber bridges meant improved community connections to schools, towns and jobs, allowing easier movement of freight and delivering better outcomes for road safety.
"We also need to ensure that in times of fire, flood or in an emergency that residents and emergency services are able to move safely around the region," Mr Constance said.
"Many of our timber bridges sit on alternative evacuation routes or are on the only route available to many residents, most are weight limited and will continue to be subject to damage.
"We need to make our communities more resilient during times of disaster and replacing this ageing infrastructure will go a long way towards achieving that goal.
"On top of easing the financial burden on councils, this program will create thousands of local jobs throughout regional communities at a time when they're needed most," Mr Constance said.
"I'm glad that across the Bega Valley and Eurobodalla alone, we're going to see more than twenty bridges replaced or repaired under this new round of funding because I know what a difference they'll make to entire communities."
"We acknowledge that many in our communities will have a connection to some of the timber bridges and council will work with community to ensure a sympathetic approach will be taken with their replacement, but these replacements are essential to ensure continued and safe movement across the region."
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro said round one of the Fixing Country Bridges program will see more than 400 ageing bridges replaced by safer, modern bridges that will better withstand events like floods and bushfires, and ease the burden of maintenance for local councils and ratepayers.
"Regional councils maintain more than 1800 timber bridges across the state, and we're delivering on our promise to help them replace ageing bridges," Mr Barilaro said.
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the government had accelerated funding for the program with more than $290 million shared across 54 councils to replace 424 bridges in round one.
"That's hundreds of fast-tracked projects that will start across the state in the next 12 months," he said.
Bridges included in the project
Bega Valley bridge replacements:
Cuttagee Lake Bridge, Tathra Bermagui Road, Cuttagee $7,500,000
Murrabrine Creek Bridge, Cobargo $5,700,000
Wonboyn River Bridge, Wonboyn Road, Wonboyn $510,000
Buckajo Creek Bridge, Buckajo Road, Buckajo $475,000
Johnston Creek Bridge, Garfields Road, Numbugga $450,000
Meringola Gully Bridge, Buckajo Road, Buckajo $450,000
Logans Bridge, Camping Ground Creek, Pericoe Road Towamba $325,000
Red Hill Road Bridge - Sandy Beach Creek Tributary, Red Hill Road, Bournda $205,000
Old Soldiers Road Bridge, Wolumla $195,000
Bens Creek, Pericoe Road, Towamba $175,000
Nungatta Road Bridge, Nungatta Creek Tributary, Nungatta $100,000
Saddle Camp Creek Bridge, Barretts Road, Bemboka $85,000
Bega Valley bridge repairs/completion of works:
Yowaka River Bridge, Nethercote Road, Nethercote $400,000
Pretty Point Bridge, New Buildings Road, Wyndham $225,000
Eurobodalla bridge replacements:
Silo Farm Bridge $2,297,750
Punkalla Creek Bridge Wagonga $1,145,750
Tilba Tilba Bridge $1,057,650
Grumleys Bridge, Wagonga $600,150
Potato Point Bridge (Blackfellows Point Road Bridge) $600,150
Clarksons Bridge Wagonga $600,150
Cowdroys Bridge $407,650
Cobra Bridge $407,650
