Minister for Primary Industries and Member for Burrinjuck, Katrina Hodgkinson, announced today that the new bridge and road at Wyangala Dam will be opened on 30 April and traffic to Wyangala village will be diverted from the road over the dam crest.
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Katrina said this was an important milestone for the Wyangala community and the diversion of traffic through the town could bring economic and social benefits.
“This bridge and road is the result of the NSW Government, State Water and the community working together to achieve a suitable outcome,” Katrina said.
“I understand some proactive Wyangala residents have discussed possible economic opportunities from traffic driving through town rather than bypassing over the dam crest.”
Katrina said the closure of the road across the dam wall is required in response to asset security and staff safety guidelines ahead of possible crest raising works for the Wyangala Dam safety upgrade.
“When this decision was made, I argued strongly that Wyangala residents should not be disadvantaged by the road closure and campaigned for the construction of a new bridge,” Katrina said.
“I am pleased State Water was able to work with the Cowra and Boorowa Shire Councils to resolve the issue and come up with an acceptable alternative for the Wyangala community.
“Now that the new bridge and road are operational, the final portion of road works on Darby’s Falls Road will take place between the new diversion and the dam crest.”
The dam crest road is scheduled to be closed to public vehicles in June this year and the entire upgrade is set to be completed later in the year.
The current $25 million construction package also involves installing a spillway gate raising and locking system to enable the gates to be raised and locked into place in the event of an extreme flood.
The project will not impact the permanent storage capacity of the dam and the water level and access to recreational facilities are not affected by the upgrade.