Preliminary work will begin on the replacement of the Kingscliff Bridge over Cudgen Creek this week, with a full bridge closure in place from Monday June 27 until late December.
The project is expected to cost between $3 million and $4 million and is funded by Tweed Shire Council’s Bridge Replacement Program.
Council says the replacement of the existing timber structure will reduce ongoing maintenance costs as the new concrete bridge will have a full 80-100 year life and will provide many benefits such as improved approaches for vehicles, wider lanes, a raised bridge deck (aligned to the pedestrian walkway), compliant traffic barriers and increased fish movement.
‘With the ongoing maintenance issues and costs associated with the current timber structure, it is important to ensure we have the correct infrastructure in place now to avoid future problems,’ council’s senior engineer, Nigel Dobson, said.
‘We understand there is an impact to commuters and residents for six months, but the long term gains are very beneficial to the area’.
Business support
Tweed Shire Council is working with the Kingscliff Chamber of Commerce on a range of strategies to provide support to local businesses. These are designed to not only be part of the bridge project but will carry on throughout the Kingsclifff Foreshore Revitalisation project.
A ‘shop local’ campaign will alert the community that Kingscliff is still very much open for business.
Council will encourage locals, commuters and holiday makers to sign up to an sms/ email service that will advertise local business’ ‘bridge deal of the week’, as well as provide status updates to the bridge construction.
Traffic changes
With the bridge being closed at both Sutherland Street and Casuarina Way at Cudgen Creek from 27 June, there will be changes in place for motorists and bus commuters over the project duration. However, the pedestrian bridge will remain open for pedestrians and cyclists.
Traffic will be diverted via Turnock Street, Cudgen Road and Tweed Coast Road. The detour will add 11 minutes (8.5km) to a trip from Marine Parade to Casuarina Way, Salt Village. Key locations will have signage displayed clearly advising commuters of detours and access roads.
Surfside buses that travel this route will also follow the detour. The shopping centre at Casuarina Way will become a transfer point for a shuttle service that will see Surfside commuters continue their journey up to Point Break Circuit / Elliston Way, Kingscliff. This shuttle service will coordinate its timetable with the current bus service to provide minimal disruption to commuters. School bus services will see only minor changes to services. Surfside will provide notification to bus users and affected schools ahead of the changeover.
For more information on the bridge project, see the fact sheet at www.tweed.nsw.gov.au/CommunityProjects
