Restoring access - Northern bridges

Many communities were isolated after the summer bushfires damaged and destroyed timber bridges across the Eurobodalla.

Our initial priority was to restore access and it was all hands on deck to undertake temporary repairs and build side tracks where we could.

Major flooding events since the fires added to the challenges, damaging remaining bridges and washing away side tracks.

We then focused on permanent solutions and worked with Transport for NSW to determine appropriate rebuilding materials.

Bridges have been replaced with more resilient structures to help maintain permanent access. Many were rebuilt using the InQuik Bridging Systems. The semi-modular steel, aluminum and concrete bridging systems reduce project cost and complexity and are relatively quick to install.

Given the scale of the damage, we relied on financial assistance from the NSW and Federal governments to get the job done. It's been a massive undertaking and we've almost finished.

Check out the progress so far.

Bradburys Bridge

Location: Araluen Road, Deua River Valley

Current status: Permanent access restored

The damage: Parts of the abutment were washed away in the July and August 2020 flood

The work: Barriers and a reduced load limit helped keep the road open until work the bridge was replaced using the InQuik Bridging System in late 2020 and early 2021

Image A tall timber bridge straddles a green gully

Pre-fire: The tall timber bridge sat high above the creek

Image A drone photo shows damage caused to the abutments on one sides of the bridge

July 2020: The flood waters destroyed the bridge abutments

Image Barriers are placed along the bridge

August 2020: Barriers keep commuters away from the damaged side

Image An excavator lifts a large timber bearer from the bridge

November 2020: The road is closed and demolition begins

Image A large refabricated bridge abutment is prepped for unloading off a delivery truck

November 2020: One of the prefabricated abutments arrives on site

Image A crane lowers a section of new bridge deck into place

January 2021: A section off the new bridge deck is lowered into place

Image Gabion baskets are stacked either side of a bridge under construction

February 2021: The new concrete deck is in position

Image Guardrail lines the edges of a new bridge and road surface.

April 2021: The rebuild was complete in March and the bridge approaches finalised in April

McGregors Creek Bridge

Location: Araluen Road, Deua River Valley

Current status: Permanent access restored

The damage: Some structural timbers burnt

The work: Steel supports were added as a temporary measure to keep the bridge open. The major landslides on Araluen Road impacted access to the site delaying plans to rebuild. In late 2021 a side track was created, the old bridge was demolished and replaced using the InQuik Bridging System. The new bridge was completed in 2022.

Image The timber bridge sits high above the creek

Pre-fire: The long tall timber bridge has a lot of charm

Image The upright structural timbers of the bridge are burnt

January 2020: The fire destroyed many structural timbers and a side track was established

Image A large steel beam is bolted to the underside of a timber bridge

February 2020: Steel beams were bolted on to provide additional strength and open the bridge

Image A construction site shows foundations of a new bridge

November 2021: Construction of the new bridge is underway

Image A bridge under construction sits alongside a dirt track

November 2021: Construction is coming along nicely and the bridge is taking shape

Image A concrete bridge is under cosntruction.

December 2021: The temporary side track was washed away during the December 2021 flood. Fortunately the new bridge was structurally capable of taking traffic.

Image Guardrail lines a brige on a dirt road in a rural setting.

December 2021: The new bridge was finished in December 2021

Image A new bridge crosses a narrow creek with grassed edges.

July 2022: The bridge approaches are sealed and the site has been restored

Kennys Creek Bridge

Location: Araluen Road, Deua River Valley

Current status: Permanent access restored

The damage: The deck and some structural timbers were burnt

The work: Our crew removed and replaced the burnt deck timbers to restore access until the bridge could be rebuilt. Major landslips on Araluen Road impacted access to the site delaying any further works. The bridge was replaced using the InQuik Bridging System during 2021-22. The new bridge was built alongside the old one so the road could remain open during construction.

Image The timber bridge sits in a green setting

Pre-fire: The timber bridge in a lush forest

Image THe edges of the deck timbers are burnt

January 2020: The deck timbers were burnt in the bushfire

Image Council workers replacing the bridge timbers

January 2020: Our bridge crew removed and replaced the burnt deck timbers

Image A steel structure sits in a bushland setting

November 2021: Construction of the new bridge is underway

Image A bridge under construction straddles a creek

November 2021: The new bridge is taking shape

Image A new bridge sits high above a creek

December 2021: The new bridge is just about finished

Image An aerial image shows a new bridge built next to an old timber bridge.

July 2022: All that remains to be done is sealing of the bridge approaches and demolition of the old bridge

Image An aerial view of a new concrete bridge lined with guardrail crosses over a creek in bushland.

Oct 2022: We have sealed the approaches to the new bridge and removed the old bridge.

Pigeon Gully Bridge

Location: Araluen Road, Merricumbene

Current status: Permanent access restored

The damage: Completely destroyed

The work: A temporary side track was built and then the bridge was replaced with concrete box culverts in the first half of 2020

Image The timber bridge sits high above the creek in a lush setting

Pre-fire: The timber bridge nestled into the bushland

Image A deep hole is all that is left after the fire passed through

January 2020: The damage after the bushfire

Image A side track winds around the burnt out bridge

March 2020: A temporary side track provides access while earthworks are underway for the permanent solution

Image Huge concrete box culverts sit next to the temporary side track

April 2020: The concrete structure is in place

Image The road has been rebuilt over the box culverts

May 2020: A huge amount of earth has been moved into position

Image A fresh dirt road runs over a gully

May 2020: The bridge was opened on 14 May

Old Bolaro Mountain Road Bridge

Location: Old Bolaro Road, Buckenbowra

Current status: Passable under traffic control

The damage: Completely destroyed

The plan: Replace in 2022

Image Fire left a gaping hole in the road

January 2020: The fire left nothing of the old bridge

Image A short concrete bridge sits in a bushland setting on a dirt road.

July 2022: The new bridge is in place and just needs a tidy up at each end

Old Mogo Zoo Bridge

Location: Old Tomakin Road, Mogo

Current status: Permanent access restored

The damage: Completely destroyed

The work: A temporary crossing was built but washed away by flood waters. The bridge was then replaced with concrete box culverts in August and September 2020