The Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) has notified council and the community that rehabilitation works on both the timber approaches and steel truss span are to be carried out.

The closure of the bridge for the four days will necessitate heavy traffic being diverted through Horns Crossing Road to Gresford Road and over Vacy Bridge.

Light traffic will be able to use either this route or through the village of Martins Creek and along Martins Creek Road.

Manager of council’s infrastructure and assets department Steve Hitchens said the proposed detour of heavy vehicles along Horns Crossing Road and Gresford Road raises a number of road safety and asset management issues.

“Based upon quarter haulage figures from Martins Creek quarry, there is on average, 500 laden and 500 unladen heavy vehicle movements per week from this individual quarry, let alone other haulage units utilising Dungog Road,” Mr Hitchens said.

“This amount of traffic being directed onto a local road is of concern.

“Council has spent considerable funds over the past 10 years upgrading Horns Crossing Road. It was, however, not built to withstand high levels of heavy vehicle movements which would occur both during the closure periods and for traffic avoiding any works on Gostwyck Bridge.

“Consideration will also need to be given to Horns Crossing Bridge as a heavy vehicle detour as a heavy vehicle detour and also controlling heavy vehicle traffic to only single heavy vehicles on the bridge at any one time.

“Investigation into the adequacy of this structure for the intended bypass will need to be undertaken.”

Mr Hitchens also had concerns about sight distance for the four intersections along Horns Crossing Road.

“Sight distance at the Gresford Road end, especially towards Vacy Bridge to the south, is of considerable concern.

“And current width restrictions on Vacy Bridge and increased traffic movements, especially heavy vehicles, will be need to addressed.