YARRIAMBIACK Shire Council will lobby VicRoads to improve the safety of two bridges in the shire.
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At its July meeting on Wednesday, the council carried a motion to request funding for the widening of the Borung Highway Bridge, Warracknabeal.
It also carried a motion to request that an analysis was undertaken to improve the safety of the single lane bridge on Rainbow Road, Warracknabeal.
The decision came after council received a petition at its June meeting requesting consultation between council and VicRoads.
Council’s Infrastructure and Planning director James Magee said discussions were in motion between the two groups.
“Council has very regular consultation with VicRoads and we have formal meetings with VicRoads twice a year,” he said.
“Both bridges have been brought up multiple times and this has been talked about for the last 10 years.”
Each year, council nominates priority projects to VicRoads, with the last list submitted in September 2017.
Safety improvements on the Rainbow Bridge was listed at number five, while the removal of the disused footway and widening of Borung Highway Bridge was listed at number six.
Five of council’s 2016 projects were funded by VicRoads, however no 2017 projects have been funded to date.
He said the VicRoads allocated $7000 to council for a footbridge beside the Borung Highway Bridge in 2007.
“Since completion of the footbridge, council has lobbied VicRoads for its widening of the Borung Bridge via removal of the footway,” he said.
“Advice from VicRoads is that the project has been submitted for funding most years since then, but have been unsuccessful each time to date. Funding for bridges is generally directed to under strength bridges. The Borung Bridge is strong and in good condition.”
The bid for funding for removal of the footpath is for $300,000.
Required works will include relocation of a power pole; removal of a footpath; construction of pavement on north side on both East and West approaches; construction of lead in guardrail to standard; electrical upgrade; and restoration on lighting towers
Mr Magee said no funding for Rainbow Road Bridge change was forthcoming from VicRoads.
“The Warracknabeal Creek Development Committee, with the assistance of council, obtained a state government grant for the footbridge which improved pedestrian safety considerably,” he said.
“The footbridge was constructed in 2014. While pedestrian safety was improved there was still a safety concern regarding traffic on the bridge and its single lane status.
“Council lobbied VicRoads and they agreed to install a give way sign and line marking on the east side. This was undertaken in October 2014. Council has continued to focus on the safety of the narrow bridge hence its listing in the priority projects sent to VicRoads in September 2017.”
Councillors unanimously agreed with Mr Magee’s recommendations to lobby VicRoads.
“This is good to have it in black and white for the resident,” Cr Jean Wise said.
“They can clearly see that we are doing something about it and that we have so for the last decade.”