FAQs
- Due to regular wear and tear over time, and despite ongoing maintenance, the bridge's condition will continue to decline.
- This condition decline will eventually require further heavy vehicle restrictions, including buses.
- Additionally, the current bridge will require more extensive maintenance, requiring greater costs as well as regular bridge closures.
- The replacement Violet Street Bridge will be a safer and more resilient structure that will serve our community for decades to come.
- This includes unrestricted load capacity, new overhead street lighting and shared pathways on both sides.
- The new structure will also decrease the time needed to remove barriers during flood events. This means the bridge will not need to close as early as per previous flood events – reducing disruption for residents and road users.
- Be a safer, wider bridge that will cater for all vehicles as well as pedestrians and cyclists.
- Allow unrestricted heavy vehicle access.
- Provide a shared pathway on both sides of the bridge for pedestrians and cyclists, connecting to the existing shared pathway network.
- Decrease the time needed to remove barriers during flood events. This means the bridge will not need to close as early as per previous flood events – reducing disruption for residents and road users.
Flood modelling and geotechnical testing along with a feasibility study dictated that a low-level bridge was the only acceptable design option for flood mitigation.
While higher-level replacement bridges were explored, flood modelling showed these types of bridges would result in the new bridge approaches blocking the waterway, impacting water flows during a flood event and putting a significant number of areas at risk of flooding (including nearby properties and businesses).
The only other option was for the construction of a bridge at a similar height and length to that of the Newell Highway bridge over Narrabri Creek however this type of bridge was cost-prohibitive (with a cost upwards of $30 million).
There will be a detour in place throughout the duration of the works. The detour route will be in place along Selina Street, Newell Highway and Tibbereena Street, as per below:
Council is working with the school and bus companies as well as local emergency services, regarding the detour and is assisting however we can, to ensure the detour process is as least disruptive as possible.
- The bridge will be unavailable to the community throughout the duration of the works. A detour will be in place while the new bridge is being constructed. Please see the FAQ Will there be a detour in place? for more information regarding the detour and alternative route.
- Council has been consulting with local residents and businesses (including the Caravan Park and school) regarding possible impacts of the works, which include:
- Noise during piling works and general construction
- Possible power interruption when existing streetlights are removed
- Alternative school bus route
- Extended detour for students who use the bridge when walking to school.
- We will continue to provide direct information and assistance to all those affected by the works throughout the project and provide regular updates to the Narrabri community.
- The Violet Street Bridge replacement project will cost $7 million.
- $5 million in funding has been provided through the NSW Government’s Infrastructure Betterment Program.
- Council is funding the remainder of the project.
Why is a new bridge needed?
What are the features of the new Violet Street bridge?
The new Violet Street Bridge will:
Why was this particular design chosen and not a high-level bridge?
Will there be a detour in place?
What impact will the works have on local community members and businesses?
What is the cost of the new bridge and how will this cost be funded?
Who can I contact for more information about the project or if I have any questions?
If you have any questions about the Violet Street Bridge or require more information, please call Council's Manager Road Services Michael Cain on 02 6799 6866.