MEMBER for Bega, Andrew Constance has today advised on Monday, September 8, weather permitting, work will start on the first stage of the Narooma Bridge opening system upgrade to improve safety for road users and the bridge lifting caretaker.
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“Roads and Maritime Services has planned a $550,000 upgrade of the bridge located on the Princes Highway at Narooma,” Mr Constance said.
“The Narooma Bridge is opened about five times a month to allow boats through. The existing opening procedure involves the caretaker finding a gap in traffic to manually close the bridge and pedestrian gates.
“The middle span is raised by an electric motor driven from a control platform under the bridge.
“The proposed upgrade will automate the process combining the operation of new advance warning signs, traffic control signals, bridge and pedestrian gates and a new locking mechanism for the middle span.”
Mr Constance said the work will be carried out in two stages, starting on Monday, September 8.
“Stage one work will include installing advanced warning signs to the north and south of the bridge and integrating the signs into the existing opening procedure and is expected to take three weeks to complete,” Mr Constance said.
“Work will be carried out between 7am to 6pm from Monday to Friday and 8am to 1pm on Saturdays with changed traffic conditions in place at these times.
“One lane of the Princes Highway to the north and south of the bridge may be closed for short periods to allow the installation of the advanced warnings signs, with traffic controllers on site to direct motorists.”
Stage two work is expected to be delivered in the first half of 2015 and will include the installation of bridge and pedestrian gates, traffic control signals on the bridge and a new locking mechanism for the middle span.
“I would ask that motorists obey speed and safety signs when travelling through work zones and I thank you for your patience during the works.”