CONSTRUCTION on a pedestrian bridge at Woodford will start on Monday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Woodford Primary School principal Daniel Watson said the community would be pleased the works were commencing.
The bridge was completed in early 2016 but sections were damaged or washed away by heavy floodwaters in September last year.
“There will be lots of happy students and parents,” Mr Watson said.
We are keen to get the bridge re-opened as soon as we can and appreciate how patient the Woodford community has been.
- Director of infrastructure Scott Cavanagh
“It is exciting. We have heaps of students who live on the other side of the river who will use it.”
He said teachers liked to get outside for science, sport and other classes.
“Having access to the bridge to be able to go over to the Jellie Reserve is great,” he said.
Mr Watson said the footbridge provided a great link for families.
The reconstructed footbridge will have a modified design including a wider deck.
Warrnambool City Council’s infrastructure director Scott Cavanagh said the new bridge would have a modular design with separate sections.
“It will also be more cost-effective to maintain,” Mr Cavanagh said.
“We are entering the wetter months of the year so as this work gets under way we will be carefully monitoring weather forecasts and river levels to ensure the work is delivered safely.
“We are keen to get the bridge re-opened as soon as we can and appreciate how patient the Woodford community has been while we sourced funding for a replacement bridge and reconsidered its design.
“Some permit issues slowed the replacement process and with their resolution imminent we can now progress with the replacement bridge.”
Funding for the project has been provided through the Victorian Government’s Natural Disaster Funding Assistance.