SEVEN SISTERS BRIDGE NEAR FORBES TO BE REPLACED

THE closed Seven Sisters Bridge will be replaced due to a Bridges Renewal Program grant delivered by The Nationals’ Riverina MP and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack.

The steel truss, single lane bridge located on Bedgerabong Road has been closed due to structural defects.

Mr McCormack said the Nationals in Government were committed to delivering infrastructure to important regional roads in regional and rural Australia.

“The Liberals and Nationals are making sure ageing bridges, such as the Seven Sisters Bridge, are replaced so that road users can get to where they are heading sooner and safer,” Mr McCormack said.

“I am pleased to deliver this important investment for the community which will improve safety and productivity for the local agricultural industry.”

The Federal Government has committed $550,000 towards the bridge replacement.

Mr McCormack said the Liberals and Nationals in Government have committed $640 million for vital bridgeworks between 2015–16 to 2022–23, with an ongoing commitment of $85 million each year following.

“The Bridges Renewal Program provides up to 50 per cent of the cost of repairing or replacing old and unsafe local bridges, which is a fantastic win for local communities,” Mr McCormack said.

“Under Round 4, the Government has committed $57 million to help fund vital local bridgeworks following the completion of an open, merit-based selection process.”

Under Round 4 of the program, the Government will contribute up to a maximum of $700,000 for one bridge or $1.4 million for two bridges in the same local government area.

The location of the bridge can be found here.

A full list of successful projects is available at www.infrastructure.gov.au/bridges.