A year after Transport for NSW crews completed maintenance work at Lismore’s Fawcett and Colemans bridges, Transport for NSW Director North Region Anna Zycki said landscaping and restoration work carried out around the bridges before the team left the site has made the CBD area increasingly popular.
“The NSW Government invested $4 million from its Bridges for the Bush program to ensure the 111-year-old Colemans Bridge remains fit for use for many years to come, including truss repair, walkway improvements and deck resurfacing,” Zycki said.
“Fawcett Bridge also underwent a $3.3 million makeover from the same program, including corrosion protection, painting and guardrail replacement. Wilsons River and Leycester Creek are two of the city’s most important attractions and a side benefit of these projects was making the riverbanks near the bridges more accessible and appealing to residents and workers.
“Following discussions with Lismore City Council, the work crew landscaped a slope between the two bridges with rock pitching – setting exposed rock in a bed of mortar – which makes it easier for Council to maintain,” Zycki said.
The project team also rebuilt a set of stairs and handrails to the green space, and after removing the work compound the crew also turfed the whole area around Twin Bridges Park.
Lismore City Council Director of Infrastructure Peter Jeuken thanked Transport for NSW for carrying out this important work.
“The twin bridges are much loved by the community and it is wonderful to see that great work Transport for NSW has done to bring them back to life,” Jeuken said.
“Not only are they much smoother to drive over and easier for pedestrians to use, but the landscaping around the bridges also improves the amenity of Lismore’s CBD.”
The original Colemans Bridge was built in about 1884 and much of it was destroyed by fire, with only the cast iron centre pier remaining. The current Dare truss structure was opened in about 1908.