TO BE REPLACED: The bridge at Mill Creek Road, Stroud, which currently has a load limit will be replaced under a fast-tracked three-year maintenence program
LOCAL roads and bridges will receive some much needed maintenance with a state government loan subsidy allowing Great Lakes Council to fast track work on a ten-year backlog.
Under the Local Infrastructure Renewal Scheme, council will be reimbursed for four per cent of interest paid on an $18m loan.
“A backlog of works is a reality for most councils,” council’s director of engineering services Ron Hartley said.
“Our backlog is mostly in the area of roads and bridges so we applied for the assistance to address these areas.”
Whilst most funding will be directed towards bridges the area’s roads will also benefit from a fast tracked program of works.
“The grant will enable up to ten years of bridge works to be brought forward to three years and several million dollars worth of road rehabilitation work can also be brought forward.”
Mr Hartley said that the loan subsidy would allow council to plan for the future.
“Timber bridges, for example, currently have load limits on them and will eventually need to be replaced so this subsidy will allow us to do that sooner.”
Great Lakes roads in Bulahdelah, Forster, Tuncurry, Tea Gardens, Hawks Nest, Pacific Palms, Smiths Lake, Coomba and Booral will benefit from the subsidy and work on bridges in Stroud Road, Booral, Bulahdelah, Upper Myall, The Branch, Wards River and Bunyah will now all be completed as part of a three year program.