Princes Highway replacement of Trunketabella Creek Bridge: environmental impact statement and review of environmental factors

In 1998, the NSW Government initiated a 5 Year Country Timber Bridge Program which involves the replacement or refurbishment of all existing timber bridges across NSW in order to control increasing annual maintenance costs. The decision was made to replace the existing timber bridge over Trunketabella Creek as the structure is approaching the end of its practical life. Current maintenance costs for the bridge are also high and expected to increase. In replacing the bridge, the opportunity arises to provide a higher standard and safer carriageway with improved geometry and wider travel lanes and shoulders. The proposed bridge replacement would also allow for an increase in the permissible tonnage of heavy goods vehicles which is currently constrained along this section of the highway as a result of the existing bridge structure.