A better bridge

Roads and Maritime Services now says the bridge, on the Lachlan Valley Way over Lake Forbes, does not meet current load standards.

The NSW Government has allocated half a million dollars to look at options to upgrade it to meet today’s needs.

While testing on the bridge will begin this month, work isn’t likely to start until 2018-19.

“The bridge is narrow and does not meet current load standards and limits options for freight within the region,” an RMS spokesperson said in a press release.

“The bridge is on a 25 metre long B-double Restricted Access Vehicle and Higher Mass Limit route.”

Testing on the bridge will be carried out this month, the RMS says the community will be provided with more information once timing and traffic impacts are known.

“Further development of design options including fieldworks is expected to be carried out in the next financial year with any construction work not likely before 2018-19,” the spokesperson said.

The RMS says they will hold discussions with key stakeholders, followed by more widespread consultation with the community as part of the project development.

"Upgrading roads and bridges is important not just for freight but also from a road safety point of view,” the RMS spokesperson said.

Forbes Mayor Graham Miller says news of the upgrade is good news for Forbes.

“It’s very narrow and it’s dangerous when there are two trucks passing,” he said.

“It’s used by B-doubles going to and from Eugowra, Cowra, Orange and Bathurst so it’s a very important arterial connection to the highway.”

In 2013, Forbes Shire Council and the RMS jointly funded a more than $400,000 pedestrian and cycle path over the Lake alongside the Camp Street bridge to improve pedestrian safety.