WORK has begun on the old Toms Gully timber bridge about 20km outside Armidale to replace it with a new concrete structure.
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The bridge, on Boorolong Rd, which tracks northwest of Armidale to join the Guyra-Inverell Rd, is about 60 years old.
But now, the 36m, four-span, single-lane timber structure will be replaced by a concrete deck overlay.
The old bridge has been demolished and a new two-lane bridge will be built in its place.
Armidale Dumaresq Council says that work is likely to begin in about a month.
Traffic on the Boorolong Rd is being diverted around the site on a side track and temporary bridge.
Public infrastructure director with the council, David Steller, says the final drawings for the design have to be approved ahead of work starting.
“Council identified the need to replace the ageing Toms Gully bridge a number of years ago through its regular two-year assessment regime of timber bridges across the Local Government Area,” Mr Steller said.
“The bridge has served the community well since it was built in the 1950s and now needs to be replaced.”
The building works are expected to take about two to three months, depending on the weather.
Once the new bridge is complete some minor roadworks will allow for widening and adjustment of the elevation of the new bridge.