Construction of a causeway at Wilcox Road has begun

Two permits are approved by the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) for the designs of a road bypass over Kangaroo Creek on Bigga Road and a bypass over the Crookwell River on the Woodville Road.

Read also:

The temporary load limits on bridges in Bigga have left residents landlocked.

"Work is scheduled to start on the Bigga Road at Kangaroo Creek bypass this week with the delivery of pipes," Upper Lachlan Shire Council's acting general manager, Andrew Croke said.

Mayor John Stafford said the bridge would eventually be replaced.

"The construction of a permanent replacement could take up to 12 months, hence the council has decided to install a temporary bypass to help provide a more immediate solution."

Construction has begun at another timber bridge.

"Work has commenced for a causeway at Cliffords Creek on the Willcox Road. This causeway did not require Fisheries approval," Mr Croke said.

"[This causeway is] expected to be completed in late August."

The contract to replace the bridge spanning Kiamma Creek at Harley Road was awarded to Bridging Australia, a report by the council's manager of assets and design reads. The project began on August 1 and will take 15 weeks to complete.

The report also shows that repairs to allow for the limits on the two concrete bridges on the Boorowa Road to be reinstated - subject to speed restrictions - are being investigated.

Temporary bypasses at another eight bridges have been identified which would alleviate load limits on the bridge network.

The council has conducted site inspections at all of the bridges and is preparing designs, applications for DPI Fisheries permits and preparing for the construction of bypasses.

"The temporary bypass designs, along with applications for the necessary permits from DPI, are expected to be completed by the end of this week."

Bridges with temporary bypasses:

"These bypasses, once constructed, will not be subject to load limits," Mr Croke said.

The Roads and Maritime Service will give technical advice on alternatives where bridge bypasses are unsuitable.

"On bridges where bypass crossings are not suitable, the RMS is assisting the council with assessments to determine if existing load limits can be increased using a combination of speed reduction, restricting traffic to one lane or temporary bracing," acting council general manager Andrew Croke said.

"These temporary measures would remain in place until permanent repairs or replacement are completed."

Bridges not suitable for bypasses:

The RMS will be conducting a site inspection of today and in the last week of August will carry out specialised load limit testing.

"This will help to determine if the existing load limits can be revised and identify what permanent repair work needs to be carried out."

The council says public safety is their number one priority.

External contractors as well as internal work crews will be used to fast track the project.

The Rural Financial Counselling Service is working with people concerned about the impacts of the local transport network on their enterprises.

Landholders have raised concerns about a hike in transport costs because truck drivers are forced to take longer routes to detour around bridges with load limits.

Those property owners who can still access their properties may apply for a rebate from the drought transport subsidy.

Changes made to the subsidy mean eligible farm businesses are entitled to receive up to $40,000 with invoices dated back to January 1, 2018.

The subsidy can not only be used for the transport of livestock but also for fodder, seed, chemical and fertiliser.

"For the people who can get around the bridges they can apply for assistance for those for all of the kilometres travelled as long as there is a record of that, even in a private vehicle," a spokesperson from the Rural Financial Counselling Service said.

Those people who are landlocked and cannot transport stock or other supplies are advised to phone the Rural Assistance Authority.

Did you know the Goulburn Post is now offering breaking news alerts and a weekly email newsletter? Keep up-to-date with all the local news: sign up below.