Fixing Country Bridges Program
Charles Street, Rydal and Red Hill Road, Upper Turon
Lithgow City Council has received funding from the NSW Government’s Fixing Country Bridges program to replace two timber bridges within the LGA, one at Charles Street, Rydal, and the other on Red Hill Road at Upper Turon.
These timber bridges have reached the end of their useful life and will be replaced with reinforced concrete structures. The replacement of these bridges will result in the following benefits:
- Improved safety and reliability.
- Reduced maintenance costs, with new structures designed for 100-year life
- Increased fire resistance, providing ongoing access in the event of bushfire.
Works are currently in the planning stage and information regarding work dates will be updated on this webpage once dates are known.
Single-lane detours will be constructed parallel to the existing bridges to ensure continuity of access.
Location of bridge at Charles St, Rydal
Location of bridge at Red Hill Road, Upper Turon
Council appreciates the community’s patience during these works. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Council on (02) 6354 9999.
Project Update 20 Sept 2024 – Project Commencement Notification-Charles Street Bridge
The existing timber bridge has reached the end of it’s service life and will be replaced with reinforced concrete structure. The replacement of this bridge will offer the following benefits:
- Improved safety and reliability.
- Reduced maintenance costs, with the new structures designed for 100-year life.
- Increased fire resistance, ensuring ongoing access in the event of bushfire.
During this time, detours will be in place, with a side track being constructed adjacent to the existing timber bridge for vehicles to use. This detour will be single-lane with a maximum load limit of 20 tons. Traffic control measures will be in place, and drivers are advised to allow extra travel time when using this detour.
Council appreciates the community’s patience during these works. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Council on (02) 6354 9999.
Project Update 16 Sept 2024 – Red Hill Road Bridge Replacement, Upper Turon
Project Update 19 June 2024 – Red Hill Road Bridge Replacement, Upper Turon
Council wishes to advise that works involving the replacement of the timber bridge on Red Hill Road at Upper Turon have been delayed until August 2024. Further updates will be provided once a firm construction start date is provided.
Project Update 19 June 2024 – Charles St Bridge
Council wishes to advise that commencement of the project involving the replacement of the Charles Street Bridge at Rydal has been delayed until September 2024. Due to the Daffodils at Rydal festival occurring from 7th to 15th September, works will commence after the conclusion of the festival.
In addition, Council has been successful in securing further funding to allow for the sealing of Charles Street, between the intersections of Railway Street and Coach Road.
Media Release – Council Continues to Fix Country Bridges
02 April 2024
After a long life, the Charles Street Bridge which has been serving the Rydal community for over seventy years is being replaced with a brand-new concrete alternative.
The current wooden bridge, which crosses Solitary Creek and connects properties west of the bridge to the rest of the community.
The Council has awarded Central Industries the contract for the demolition and reconstruction of the Bridge. The project links to a series of works to replace country bridges across the city. The Council has already replaced three timber bridges with dual-lane concrete bridges along Glen Davis Road over the past two years at Airly, Coco and Crown Creeks.
The NSW Government’s Fixing Country Bridges program was established to identify and replace wooden bridges which are nearing the end of their useful life and replacing them with concrete alternatives. This not only ensures the safety of motorists on our local roads, but also reduces expenditure on continually repairing outdated bridges.
Lithgow City Mayor Maree Statham said, “The replacement of outdated wooden bridges will dramatically improve the driving experience of the residents who live in our villages and open up new opportunities for visitors using our roads to explore the Seven Valleys region.”
The replacement of the Charles Street Bridge is expected to commence in June and the bridge will be open in late 2024. While construction takes place a temporary bridge will be placed on adjacent properties on the north side of the bridge to serve as a detour. This temporary bridge will be weight rated up to 15 tonnes which will allow larger trucks including the Council waste service truck to access the road.
Project Update 4 March 2024 – Charles St Bridge
At the Ordinary Meeting of Council, held 26th February 2024, Council resolved to award the contract for the replacement of the Charles St. bridge to a local construction company, Central Industries, who recently successfully completed the replacement of three timber bridges on Glen Davis Road.
Central Industries has proposed a design that includes an option for coloured concrete and handrails, which will tie in with the bridge’s rural setting. The community will be consulted further once the design phase commences.
At this stage, it is envisioned that site works will commence in mid-2024. A project update will be provided once firm dates are confirmed.