The Byron Creek Bridge, on the outskirts of Bangalow, will be closed until at least the end of the week, say Byron Council, ‘while Council reviews a report from specialist structural engineers after a fire underneath the bridge last Friday (9 January)’.
In a media release they say, ‘Staff are now working with structural engineers to determine what short-term solutions may be available to get the bridge on Bangalow Road reopened. The road is currently closed between Coopers Shoot Road and Arrow Head Lane’.
‘Engineers were onsite late Friday afternoon with preliminary advice about the structural integrity of the bridge given to Council on Monday afternoon (12 January).
‘Visual inspections on Friday afternoon showed the potential for structural damage and we are hoping we can reopen the bridge to light traffic while we figure out what repairs are needed,’ Phil Holloway, Director Infrastructure Services, said.
‘We know the closure of the Byron Creek Bridge will be very disruptive to our community, but we cannot open the bridge until we know it is safe,’ he said.
The media release continues, ‘Bangalow Road is an alternative access from Bangalow to the southern part of Byron Bay, carrying some 5,000 vehicles a day’.
‘The Byron Creek Bridge is a relatively new structure, built by Council five years ago at a cost of $2.5 million.
‘Police and the NSW Fire Service are investigating the cause of the fire.
Rough sleepers
‘Council is aware some people had been sleeping rough under the bridge for several months.
‘Council staff are aware of the location of many rough sleepers in the Byron Shire, a problem which is well-documented by the NSW Government in its annual Rough Sleeping Count.
‘Claims that Council “delivered” rough sleepers there after the closure of Red Devil Park to long-term camping are incorrect.
‘The closure of Red Devil Park for long-term camping was not a Council matter’, says Council staff.
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