Herons Creek residents will be impacted by a road closure for months, due to the replacement of a bridge on Herons Creek Road.
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On behalf of Transport for NSW, John Holland Rail is undertaking bridge work on Herons Creek Road as part of the government’s rail infrastructure program across the Country Regional Network.
Pastor of Herons Creek Chapel Martin Parish said residents of the district have not been appropriately notified of the closure.
A brochure was sent out by John Holland Rail, who is the contractor for the work, however Kendall was listed as the location.
Martin said when he contacted the company, it confirmed a brochure was posted out to everyone in Kendall three weeks ago.
“Sadly the folk of our beautiful Herons Creek community are the last to find out,” he said.
A spokesperson from John Holland Rail said the old timber structure will be replaced by a new steel and concrete bridge and the road alignment approaching the bridge will be improved.
“The new two-way bridge will be a big improvement on the old structure which required frequent and costly maintenance, and local residents will benefit from the lifting of a longstanding load restriction,” he said.
“We are grateful to the community for their patience and cooperation while this work is completed.”
The original brochure stated the bridge will be closed from March 1 until August 30, 2018, as the existing bridge will be demolished to enable construction of the new bridge.
However a John Holland spokesperson said the bridge would be closed from bridge will be closed from about mid-March to August 2018.
“Traffic will be diverted to Logan’s Crossing Road, Graham Street and Kendall Road during this time,” he said.
The spokesperson said a notification was sent to Kendall residents in late February 2018 while a second notification is being delivered to the broader Herons Creek area this week.
For more information residents can call 1300 661 390 or email crn.enquiry@jhg.com.au
History of Old Tin Bridge
This was given its name as the original side rails were lined with metal sheets (probably galvanised sheets that rusted in short period of time).
It was constructed pretty much the same it is today with wooden piers and wooden planks. Maintenance has continued over the years due to white ants plus wear and tear.
It was erected when the Northern Rail line was constructed in 1914-15. Herons Creek Road was actually the Pacific Highway for many decades until the town was bypassed in the 1939-44 period. This bridge has been the main connection to the town for heavy or over height vehicles to this present day.
It hold a significant heritage value. It is said that the co-ee marchers walked through Herons Creek across this bridge to Kew.