The Batemans Bay Bridge will remain closed to water traffic until further notice, after a malfunction on the weekend caused serious traffic delays.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The bridge jammed on Saturday morning, after it had opened to allow a vessel to pass through.
It was three hours until the problem was rectified, while holiday traffic banked up on either side.
Frustrated motorists also reported the wait was made more uncomfortable as public toilets near the bridge were not functioning well.
Some motorists did make detours, but experienced significant delays as many others had the same idea.
Member for Bega and Transport Minister Andrew Constance has apologised for the incident, which happened right at the end of the school holidays, as many visitors were making their journey home.
The problem happened as the span began to descend.
“The haul ropes had slipped off the directional sheet wheel and became wrapped around the shaft,” Mr Constance said.
“At that stage, road maintenance crews were dispatched and emergency services were informed. A work punt was made available for emergency services.”
“A decision was made to cut part of the mounting bracket to try and free it. The bridge was able to be lowered slowly and re-opened to traffic at 2.45.”
Mr Constance said the bridge was now being inspected to assess the damage and was closed to water traffic until the RMS could speak to the Innes family, which operates one vessel that uses the bridge daily, the ferry Merinda.
“I am very, very concerned about the ongoing failures of the bridge," he said.
“This is why I announced the need for a new bridge to be built.”
When asked about when work could start on a new bridge in Batemans Bay, Mr Constance said it was “too early to put a time frame” on this as there was a lot of work to be done in the lead up.
“There is scoping and design work, then it has to go out for community consultation.”
He said work was already happening on several bridges on the South Coast with major work underway at Burrill Lake, Dignams Creek and Nelligan and work already completed at Termeil.
“I am apologetic that the bridge has again failed and cut off not just the entire town, but the entire region.” he said.
“Like everyone I’m concerned about access, but it’s pleasing that there was an alternative put in place.
“The other point is that we are going to have to replace the bridge and there are a lot of issues to be worked through. We are going to have to remove the existing bridge and we want to work with the community on this.”
Mr Constance said when he first made the announcement that he supported a new bridge being built he made it clear the funding for the project would come from the sale of state power infrastructure – poles and wires.
”We are going to have to work with the council and with the roads minister, but don’t underestimate how serious I am about getting this bridge built,” he said.
He said it was part of the ongoing investment in major works to improve the Princes Highway.
