Bridge a major hazard: operator

A local tourism operator is worried the scene of a road fatality earlier this year could result in more serious accidents or deaths if not urgently upgraded.

Andre Roy, who owns Eden Gate Blueberry Farm, said a bridge over a drain on Eden Road was a major hazard to motorists and he had been campaigning for about 10 years for something to be done about it.

In May, a 47-year-old Youngs Siding man was killed when his car left the road on the bend, rolling and landing on its roof in water about 1m deep.

Mr Roy has demanded a safety barrier or railing be installed on the drain, but said he had struggled for answers on who was responsible for maintenance of the drain and bridge.

He said Eden Road was a popular tourist route and the current bridge was dangerous.

“I believed there was a danger before the fatality and that somebody was going to get hurt or die, and somebody did,” Mr Roy said.

“I’ve been moaning about this for 10 years to find out who is responsible for this bridge.”

Mr Roy has called on the Water Corporation, which owns the bridge crossing the drain, to urgently start a safety upgrade.

“This one is pretty dangerous. Someone died … it should be a priority,” he said.

“If there had been a rail, he would have hit it and he would not have died.

“The way it’s set up, if the front wheel misses the corner, you are going in inverted.”

Water Corporation Great Southern regional manager David Hughes-Owen said the bridge was included in a capital works program of a number of bridges and crossings in the Albany Drainage District.

“We will continue to work with Main Roads to identify ways to improve the integrity of this type of bridge,” he said.

Great Southern police traffic Sergeant Peter May said it was important drivers drove to the conditions and took appropriate caution if unfamiliar with a stretch of road.