Lift System Upgrade
Roads and Maritime Services have commenced preliminary work to enable the upgrade of the Spit Bridge drive system. This work is important to improve the longevity and reliability of the operating system that opens and closes the bridge and will minimise the potential for traffic delays caused by a breakdown of the lift equipment. The bridge currently opens to marine traffic on a schedule.
For scheduled opening times, click here.
This $10.6 million project is fully funded by the NSW Government and involves installing new electrical cables and a new drive system - motor, brake and gearbox. Work commenced in January 2012 and is expected to be completed by mid 2012, weather permitting.
Involving the community - bridge and road closures
To enable the upgrade, intermittent bridge and road closures will be required. Roads and Maritime Services are committed to working with the community to minimise the impact of these closures on boat operators, motorists and pedestrians.
A fourteen day consecutive closure of the bridge to high mast marine traffic will be required. Two complete road closures at night for approximately 3 hours each will also be required. The first road closure is required to enable delivery of the drive equipment. The second road closure will enable this equipment to be tested. The first road closure will occur immediately before the bridge shut down to high mast/tall marine traffic. The second is expected to occur at the end of the bridge shut down period, before the normal bridge opening schedule resumes.
In July 2011, we began consulting with boat owners and operators to seek information on upcoming plans and events for boats. As a result, we understand that December and January are the busiest times for boat owners and operators and that marine traffic continues to be busy up until the Easter long weekend. We also acknowledge a preference for this work to be programmed outside school holidays.
Project contact
For information about the project, please contact Roads and Maritime Services project manager, Sri Srikanth on (02) 8849 2526 or by email to Sri.Srikanth@rms.nsw.gov.au
More information
Register your details on the contact database to be alerted when an update occurs by contacting the the contractor, Lend Lease on (02) 8667 6203 during business hours or by email to spit.bridge@lendlease.com.
