IN a win for the communities of Broke and Glendon $3.4 million will be spent on two new concrete bridges within the districts.

The ageing and “terminal” Herbert Street bridge at Broke and Bourkes Crossing bridge at Glendon will be replaced with double lane bridges within the next 12 to 18 months.

It is news that has been welcomed by both communities who were angered when five tonne load limits were imposed last month due to structural concerns.

It has since lifted to 10 tonnes following testing carried out last week.

Singleton Council will take out a 15-year loan to fund the construction of the bridges.

Plans for the new Herbert Street bridge will cost roughly $1.75 million meanwhile the new Bourke’s Crossing bridge will cost an estimated $1.7 million.

Both will withstand the 100-year flood level.

At council’s meeting on Monday night, Cr Tony McNamara said both bridges were historic however age had caught up with them and it was time they were replaced.

“It’s been a great bridge, it’s served its life (but) let’s put it to bed,” he said making particular reference to Herbert Street bridge.

“We knew the day would come that we’d need to replace the bridge but everyone in the community was gob smacked at the speed at which it came last month,” he said.

Cr McNamara added that he looked forward to a community opening within the next 12 months.

Temporary 10-tonne limits will remain on both bridges until extra load testing and feasibility works are carried out.

Council’s director assets and facilities Gary Thomson said some businesses would still be restricted with activities such as tourist coaches however council would be conducting further load tests to assess the possibility of an 18-tonne limit.

Days of milk bottle measurements

CR John Martin, a long-standing SES member, was particularly pleased about the fact both bridges would withstand the one in 100 year flood level.

Mr Martin praised the designs and said it was important that the bridges would not be flood affected as it had in the past.

“I remember a time when a lady called Mrs McNamara measured the flood levels using coke tins and milk bottles tied on fences,” Cr Martin said in reference to the Herbert Street bridge.

“She would ring us to say it’s up to the coke tin now and we expect it to be up to the milk bottle in the morning,” he laughed.

“I think we need a better reading then coke tins and milk bottles they aren’t very satisfactory.