THE six week-closure of the Tooleybuc Bridge for maintenance will “destroy” local businesses, and the Federal Government should deploy an army bridge to avert the crisis, Independent MP Helen Dalton has warned.
Residents of Tooleybuc and surrounding areas have been blindsided by Transport for NSW’s announcement that the bridge would be closed for six weeks from May 23.
Ms Dalton said it was now up to Federal Member for Farrer Sussan Ley to “stand up”.
“What we need is the Federal Government to install an army bridge while the repairs are taking place,” she said.
“This has been done before, why not do it now? The question must be asked – why the hell didn’t the NSW Government repair this bridge when they shut the border and the bridge was hardly being used?”
The bridge was closed to all traffic as part of the hard Victoria-NSW border in 2020.
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway says the maintenance work is necessary to ensure the Tooleybuc Bridge can stay open as it is as important link for communities and freight across the Murray River.
“Transport for NSW understands the concern the community has about the length of this closure, however, it is the fastest way to complete the work to ensure the bridge remains safe and can continue to serve the community,” Mr Farraway said.
“We are getting the job done for the community and freight industry in June when there is no harvest and less tourist traffic to help minimise impacts to Tooleybuc.”
“Transport will be consulting with the freight industry, councils, community and local businesses to keep everybody informed of this work, and will have VMS messaging at a number of locations alerting to the work and appropriate detours.”
Mr Farraway warned that delaying the work would be likely to result in longer term closures or load limits on the bridge.
“Work will include repairs to the support piers and baileys on the bridge, which requires heavy piling equipment to be placed on the bridge deck to carry out the work,” he said.
Transport for NSW also said it will ensure there is a solution to get students to and from school, which is a major concern for many families in the area. However, they have also said detours will be in place for light vehicles via Nyah Bridge, and B-Doubles will have to detour via the Swan Hill Bridge.
Ms Dalton criticised Transport for NSW, saying the response from the NSW Government is “completely unacceptable”.
“Simply delaying the closure won’t help any of the Tooleybuc businesses – who will be destroyed if they are cut off from tourists for six weeks,” Ms Dalton said.
“Tooleybuc residents should not have to suffer because of the Government’s incompetence and neglect.”
