Read about the $27 million bridge replacement here.

Due to the poor condition of the current bridge, an 18 tonne load limit was imposed in 1999. Some exemptions apply for school buses and quarry trucks.

A requirement of funding for the bridge from the state government was that the new bridge would not carry a load limit.

“It is a regional road,” said MP Leslie Williams at Wednesday’s construction meeting at the bridge.

“The new bridge will improve road safety and this freight pinch point, benefitting motorists, local residents, local businesses and freight operators alike who are travelling through Port Macquarie and surrounding communities.”

Projections by Port Macquarie Hastings Council estimate the number of heavy vehicles to use the new bridge would be fewer than 90 per day.

Alan Hardy, president of the North Haven Residents Association, said Ocean Drive through North Haven isn’t a suitable road for heavy vehicles, even through the new bridge will be.

In September, Mr Hardy put forward the concerns of the group at a Stingray Creek Bridge drop-in community session.

“Some of the questions asked of the council, who are responsible for maintaining Ocean Drive, were how are they going to afford to repair the roads damaged by these heavy vehicle movements once the 18-tonne load limit is scrapped?” Mr Hardy said.

“Who will be responsible for the safety of our families and school children using this narrow road through North Haven and other suburbs on Ocean Drive?

“How will the council control traffic speed, noise and pollution caused by the increase of heavy vehicles and the effect on restaurants and business houses along this tourist drive?”

In 2005 the council adopted the North Haven Traffic Management Plan which detailed a number of traffic calming devices for Ocean Drive. Part of this plan was implemented, particularly outside the shopping precinct. Future work included tyre grip to highlight the sweeping Bunny’s Corner and further calming devices on Ocean Drive.

On Wednesday the council’s director of infrastructure and asset management, Jeffery Sharp, said the council would monitor the use of Ocean Drive after the bridge was completed.

“The North Haven Traffic Management Plan was adopted some time ago and we are currently looking at that plan again to see if the components are still needed. There’s no timing for this as yet, but we will be looking at it and putting it in the works program if it’s needed.

“We will need to monitor heavy vehicle use to see if the plan needs to be put in place.”

Mayor Peter Besseling said echoed Mr Sharp’s comments.

“Council has projections of expected future traffic use of Ocean Drive, but they don’t always happen in reality. We will certainly maintain a watch over it,” he said.