Work on a bridge which provides a vital link between Cowra and Cabonne Shire's is expected to be completed in November.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The bridge over the Belubula River at Bangaroo is a vital link for farmers, especially those with land on both sides of the river.
Whilst it has been closed bridge users have been forced to take a 20 minute detour.
Federal member for Calare and Minister for Decentralisation and Regional Education, Andrew Gee visited the site on Monday with Cabonne mayor Kevin Beatty and Cabonne Shire Councillor Andrew Durkin.
Cowra Shire mayor Bill West was also in attendance as Cowra Shire is project deliver manager for the bridge replacement.
Cabonne general manager Bradley Byrne, Cowra Shire general manager Paul Devery and Cowra Shire Infrastructure Director Dirk Wymer also attended.
"This bridge replacement will significantly improve road safety, and that's great news for people living in this area and using this road," Mr Gee said.
A dual lane concrete bridge will replace an old single lane wooden bridge when the work is completed.
The previous bridge had a load limit placed on it.
The new bridge will have no load limit.
"It's great to see the machinery here getting these important bridge replacement projects underway," Mr Gee, who also inspected bridge works at Manildra, said.
The Bangaroo Bridge, which has been closed due to structural safety issues, is a vital link for the Cabonne and Cowra Shires, over the Belubula River.
The Australian Government has contributed $700,000 towards this $1.51 million replacement project from the Bridges Renewal Program.
Cabonne Council will fund the remainder.
Completion of the project has been delayed twice by flooding of the Belubula this year.
"The replacement of Bangaroo Bridge will provide a safe and reliable link between the Cabonne and Cowra Local Government areas, offering enhanced access to remote locations and cutting down travel time for residents," Cabonne mayor Kevin Beatty said.
The works at Manildra will see construction of a new concrete, two-lane bridge making it easier for raw materials to be sourced directly from farmers for an oilseed crushing, refining and packaging operation located at Manildra.