Bridge out for six months

Main Roads is still investigating the cause of a bridge collapse at Elleker-Grasemere Road and expects the road to be closed for at least six months.

The Albany Advertiser reported on August 13 two Elleker residents had witnessed the bridge give way after a car had travelled over the timber structure.

A Main Roads spokeswoman said the bridge substructure was still underwater but it appeared a pier had failed, and how this occurred would not be determined until water levels receded and the bridge could be dismantled.

The spokeswoman said works to replace the single-lane, timber bridge with a double-lane concrete bridge would begin in mid-September with an expected completion at the end of February next year at a cost of $3.2 million.

The bridge, which crosses the Torbay River, was previously scheduled to be replaced in January 2014.

Elleker General Store owner Malcolm Parsons said the road closure would impact his shop and new tavern in the summer because tourists would bypass the area.

“Usually people who have been surfing or swimming at the beach would stop in to get a drink or something to eat, but if it is a 7km detour, they would just go straight back into town,” he said.

Sweet Valley Produce owner Phil Harding said he was glad the bridge replacement had been brought forward but was also worried commuters would bypass his shop.

“There is no point going the long way to the shop,” he said.