Flood Restoration - Roads & Bridges Update (May 2024)

ROADS & BRIDGES FLOOD RESTORATION PROJECT UPDATE

Please note, several road and bridge projects progressing concurrently, below are updates for some projects progressing this month. Please check the 'Projects By Name' and select the road name for latest updates. Additionally, if there is a road you would like specific flood restoration updates on, please register your contact details via our notification list form.

Environmental Rescue at Rogerson Road
What happens when a handful of bats put a major flood restoration project on hold? When it came time to replace three large steel storm water drainage pipes with reinforced concrete pipes ones on Rogerson Road, McKees Hill, project coordinators discovered at least half a dozen micro bats had made a hole in one pipe, their home.

Myotis Macropus: One of Australia’s most fascinating species because they’re the only bats in Australia to capture fish for food. They have large feet which they use to trawl for food near the water’s surface. Work crews had to play a waiting game until two juvenile bats were old enough to fly. But then the challenge was - how to catch the youngsters and offer them an alternative roosting venue. Eventually patience and thermal imaging cameras confirmed the two young bats took to the skies for the first time, just after sunset on 1st May.

That night the hole was sealed, and a timber bat box installed as an alternative roost. Four bats settled into their new home but the remaining two had to be caught and housed in the box. Once the culvert work is complete it’s hoped all the bats, and their box will be relocated into the new concrete pipes.

COMPLETED WORKS
Crofton Road
Road pavement restoration works on Crofton Road are on track to be completed by the end of May. Until then the road will remain open under traffic control to have minimal impact on residents, please allow extra time for delays.

Nimbin Road
Wet weather continued to cause delays to the completion of works on Nimbin Road at the site near Shipway Road. By mid-May the road was open to two-way traffic with the final clean up completed by 24 May 2024. During the past month, works were completed for the construction drainage along the retaining wall and placement of road base layers along the full width of the road. The road has now been sealed with asphalt and guardrails installed.

Oakey Creek Road
In May, temporary works were completed at a landslip site along Oakey Creek Road that was identified as a safety hazard.

CURRENT WORKS
Multiple Road Works
The works involve grading over 120km on 53 unsealed gravel roads which have been significantly damaged as a result of declared natural disaster events in December 2023 and April 2024. Roads with the most severe damage have been given the highest priority to ensure that critical routes are restored first. Council is deploying six separate works crews and efforts have been made to cluster the works geographically to optimise efficiency and resource allocation. Motorists will be notified of road changes via roadside signage. We apologise in advance for any disruptions you may experience while we carry out this essential work. For further information visit https://yoursay.lismore.nsw.gov.au/maintaining-our-roads-and-bridges/news_feed/upcoming-works-grading-for-multiple-unsealed-gravel-roads

Blue Knob Road
Works began in late May to rectify the first of two landslip sites on Blue Knob Road. These works will occur for approximately 12 months which will include an additional two sites along Blue Knob Road. The road will remain open under stop go traffic control to have minimal impact on residents.

Eureka Road, Graham Road & Haywood Lane
Works have commenced to replace culverts with bridges and all side tracks are in place with existing culverts removed. Future piling work is scheduled to commence in mid-June.

Newton Drive
Works on several minor upslope landslips and a single pipe culvert were heavily impacted this month due to weather conditions. Crews are hoping for favourable weather in June to progress the pending works which will to be completed under traffic control and will have minimal impact on the residents in this area.

Rogerson Road
Through successful collaboration with environmental professionals the juvenile micro bats were temporary relocated during April. This will allow works to commence replacing the steel drainage pipes with cement ones. Thank you to the community for your understanding and patience while the works continue.

Stony Chute Road
Following the February 2022 natural disaster, Stony Chute Road suffered extensive damage. With funding secured restoration works are now underway. The works will continue for approximately three to four weeks from 15 May 2024, subject to weather conditions.

FUTURE WORKS
Gwynne Road
The design for 1.2 kilometres of new pavement is nearing completion and once finalised the work will be put out to tender with works predicted to begin in approximately 6 weeks.