It’s been over a year but the long awaited opening of the new Bognor Bridge is finally just days away.
Director of Operations Steve Vokes says the bridge will definitely be open next week and it could even open by the end of this week.
The span over Walters Creek has been closed to traffic since October of 2008 after an inspection deemed it unsafe.
The 85 year old crossing has since been completely removed and replaced by a new structure.
Vokes says the project was supposed to be done by the end of 2009, but it was given a 3 week extension.
He says this was an extremely rainy construction season and the crew racked up 3 weeks worth of days when they were shut down completely.
Vokes says the final details are now wrapping up, with concrete being poured for the barrier walls and a railing, and then gravel will be put down so vehicles can use the bridge during the winter.
Waterproofing and a coat of asphalt will be added in the spring or early summer.
Vokes says he is very happy to see this project finished because residents told council they really need access to this bridge in the winter.
He adds in the end he is very pleased with the project and says once they were approved for government funding it proceeded quickly.
Vokes says once he has word that the bridge can be opened to traffic, he will be on the phone making the announcement.
A grand opening will be held later this year.
The new Bognor Bridge came in under budget at 900-thousand dollars.