The community is being invited to have its say on the environmental assessment and detailed design of the newer, stronger bridge to be built across the Macquarie River at Rawsonville, west of Dubbo.
Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said the Review of Environmental Factors (REF) was an important milestone for the project.
“We’re excited to be one step closer to providing a much improved bridge that will be able to carry more traffic and heavier loads, and require less ongoing maintenance,” Mr Saunders said.
“The existing timber truss bridge, has served the community well since 1916, but is now in poor condition, too narrow, and is not suitable for modern trucks.”
Mr Saunders said the plan is to build a new, concrete bridge about five metres upstream from the existing bridge, before it is removed.
“This will lessen the impact on drivers in the region by getting rid of the need for lengthy detours while building is under way,” Mr Saunders said.
“We’re proud to be providing $12.5 million from the Bridges for the Bush program, which was designed for exactly this type of project.”
The Review of Environment Factors (REF) and detailed design will be on display from Monday 15 November to Wednesday 22 December.
The community can review the REF and detailed design online at: nswroads.work/rawsonville or in person at the Dubbo Regional Library.
There will also be community drop in sessions at the Rawsonville Memorial Hall on Tuesday 7 December between 2pm and 4pm, and 6pm and 8pm, and at the Western Plains Cultural Centre in Dubbo on Wednesday 8 December between 4pm and 7pm.
The community is strongly encouraged to register for a session by visiting nswroads.work/rawsonville or by phoning 1800 167 499.
Submissions on the project can be made until Wednesday 22 December via email at western.projects@transport.nsw.gov.au or by post to Rawsonville Bridge REF PO Box 334 Parkes, NSW 2870.
By all means build a new bridge, but to demolish that beautiful old one is a travesty. Why not retain it as a tourist attraction which can also be used for the staging of special events.
Similarly we are slowly losing the historic inn up the road too which is also very sad.
This is hardly surprising as Dubbo has a history of demolishing things that other centres capitalise on.
It’s a shame we will be loosing another heritage icon to progress. I understand the need for improved infrastructure but a disappointment to see it go completely.