A new bridge is on the way for Lees Road at Mossiface, with East Gippsland Shire Council appointing experienced local contractor Tambo Construction to replace the weathered timber crossing over the rail trail.
The existing bridge has been strengthened multiple times over the past 25 years and is nearing the end of its useful life. The replacement will provide a stronger crossing for local residents and primary producers and remove the load restrictions currently affecting the bridge.
Council manages 191 road bridges across East Gippsland and has replaced 153 of them over the past nine years with steel and concrete bridges or culverts. This major program has made roads safer, improved resilience to fire and flood, increased load limits and strengthened connections between communities.
The Lees Road upgrade is one of three imminent bridge projects, alongside Marlo and Swifts Creek, as well as a new pedestrian bridge at Howitt Park, Bairnsdale. Together, they form a significant program of work, completing the replacement of every ageing timber bridge managed by the shire with safer, stronger steel and concrete structures.
Mayor Cr Jodie Ashworth said replacing the Lees Road bridge would put an end to the repeated repairs that have been needed over many years.
"There's only so many times you can repair an old timber bridge before you have to step back and say it's time for a proper replacement. That's where we've reached with Lees Road, and I'm pleased we're now able to move this project forward," Cr Ashworth said.
The new bridge will comprise steel piles, steel-reinforced beams and a cast in situ concrete deck, built to current bridge loading standards.
The contract valued at $543,624 was awarded following a competitive tender process. The recommended tenderer Tambo Construction achieved the highest overall evaluation score, reflecting extensive experience constructing bridges of this type.
“In this case, the evaluation showed that experience in this type of bridge construction and the ability to deliver the work successfully were important considerations, and I think that's a sensible approach for a project like this," Cr Ashworth said.
Works are planned for the drier months of the year to reduce weather-related risk, with Council and the contractor to maintain regular communication with the local community throughout construction.