The RMS met with Clarence Town and District Progress Association president Brian Farmer at the site on January 29 to discuss the need for a new bridge, as emergency repairs were carried out on the 1880 structure.

Mr Farmer said the RMS representative understood his concerns and agreed action had to be taken.

He hopes to receive some good news from the RMS within the next few weeks.

“It looks as though we might get ourselves a new bridge,” he said.

There has been lengthy debate about the type of bridge that should be built.

The existing bridge, which is on the state heritage register, has fallen into disrepair but could be refurbished with modern materials under one scenario.

Mr Farmer said the RMS had also suggested a concrete bridge could be built next to the existing bridge, with both structures maintained. 

The new bridge would be used for traffic while the old bridge would be used for pedestrians, he said.

The RMS initially spoke of refurbishing the existing bridge with modern materials that looked similar to the original features in 2014.

A spokesperson said that would have helped retain the heritage feel of the bridge.

Residents want the existing bridge to be knocked down and replaced with a two-lane concrete bridge that has pedestrian access.

Mr Farmer said a new bridge would be faster to build and it would prevent lengthy delays for residents on the northern side, who faced a 50 kilometre detour when the crossing was out of action. 

He said the cost to build the new bridge and fix up the old bridge was $27 million.

Building the new bridge and knocking down the existing bridge would cost $17 million, he said.

“What the RMS were proposing was $10 million more expensive and it was going to look terrible,” Mr Farmer said.

“There’s a whole lot of options they could have done, but things have moved on a bit.”

The RMS will consult with the NSW Heritage Council and Dungog council before unveiling its next move.