Montgomerys Bridge has been closed for six months, as the council tries to find a funding solution

The bridge has been closed for more than six months because it is too dangerous for traffic, but the council is struggling to find a way to pay for its expensive upgrade.

Montgomerys Bridge on Iron Pot Creek Road is too unsafe for traffic, and has been closed by Kyogle Council.

More than $1.3 million is needed to fix a bridge in the Kyogle area that has major structural issues.

Montgomerys Bridge, on Iron Pot Creek Creek, was closed in November last year after months of monitoring and load limits.

An investigation found “significant strucural deficiencies” in the timber elements of the bridge, “to an extent that the bridge is no longer considered safe for vehicular traffic”.

“Montgomerys Bridge is not in the current four year capital works replacement program, and due to the individual characteristics of this bridge crossing Iron Pot Creek and having such a high deck level, will be very expensive to replace or renew,” the council posted on its Facebook page at the time.

“The structure will remain closed until further notice.”

Staff have prepared a report on the bridge for next week’s council meeting, after a question from Councillor Maggie May at the last meeting.

The report states that geotechnical investigations have been completed.

A structural inspection by Cardno consulting engineers recommended replacing the timber approach spans with steel and concrete spans, and retaining the main central truss, with modifications to its bearings, traffic barrier and coating system.

“Council is progressing with this renewal design as its preferred option, with further consultant services required for structural assessment in terms of AS 5100, analysis and design of replacement bearings, replacement vehicle barrier system, (and) specifications covering coating of steel members, including striping of existing paint protective coatings and application of new coating system,” the report states.

“The preliminary estimate for this renewal is around $1.3 million.”

But the hybrid structure of Montgomerys Bridge meant it was not eligible for funding through the Fixing Country Bridges Program in Round 1.

Council staff have put forward suggested changes to the criteria for Round 2 to include the timber elements of structures such as this bridge.

If those changes are made, the council will be able to apply funding.

However, there is no guarantee that Transport for NSW will make any changes to the criteria,” the council staff report states.

“Council will also put forward applications under any other programs for which this bridge renewal is eligible.

“Council’s works program is fully committed for the next three years with the delivery of bridge replacements already funded … a timeline of three to four years for commencement of works on the site is feasible, (but) this is totally dependent on a successful funding application to either the state or federal government.”