An internationally renowned structural engineer believes if the condition of the historic Cuttagee Bridge is so bad then it should be immediately closed.
Ken Murtagh has designed bridges for over sixty years and lived on the lake for many decades.
The veteran expert flabbergasted by the Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison stating there was no point in her ordering a more comprehensive report on the bridge’s current condition because it will probably find it is even worse than a visual inspection back in January indicated.
“She’s got the feeling from her staff or she’s been given the impression that this was a reasonable report and that the bridge is on it’s way out,” Mr Murtagh said.
“If that’s the case it should be closed if it’s that reduced in structural strength,” he said.
“It’s not the case. The bridge has got a few years left.”
The State Government and Bega Valley Shire Council sighting a so-called engineering report being used to justify replacing the 134-year-old bridge with a new two lane concrete one over Cuttagee Lake.
The document, produced for Transport for NSW earlier this year, features numerous photos of timber, steel and concrete of the current historic bridge in bad condition.
But Mr Murtagh said the report does not provide an accurate assessment that a detailed review of the structure would provide..
“I’m not sure what the council’s got or what the government’s got. I think it was very biased towards making it look as if the bridge is in a worse state than it is,” he said.
“They tended to take photos of the worse situations of corrosion or inadequacies that were available but they didn’t make any comments on their ability to be repaired or fixed or anything else. The report just covered those situations. It wasn’t what I would call a proper engineering report. It was just a visual report.”
Ken is the second bridge expert to question the Transport for NSW Cuttagee Bridge Report in as many months. The first, Davide Maggiolo, said the bridge could be easily restored within the original $15-million budget originally allocated by the State Government.
A local community group, Restoration of Cuttagee Bridge is battling the Bega Valley Shire Council and the State Government over the planned destruction of the much loved structure. They’ve promised to campaign against local State MP Michael Holland and the Roads Minister at the upcoming State Election if they proceed with their plan.
Mr Murtagh has previously provided the council and government with detailed drawings of how to repair the bridge.
