Restoring access - Belowra Valley bridges

The Belowra community was left isolated after the 2019 New Year’s Eve bushfires destroyed four crucial timber bridges.

Our teams were soon on the scene to assess the damage and arrange temporary crossings.

All four bridges have now been replaced with permanent structures that are more fire and flood resilient. Given the scale of the damage, we relied on financial assistance from the NSW and Federal governments' Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements to get the job done.

Belimbla Bridge

The damage: Completely destroyed

Current status: Permanent access restored

The work: We initially established a side track, which was washed away by flood waters. We then created a temporary bridge to maintain access until the bridge was replaced using the InQuik Bridging System.

Image A mulit-span timber bridge passes over a wide riverbed
Pre-fire: The multi-span bridge before the bushfire
Image The low timber bridge is burnt to the ground leaving large timbers sitting in the dry creek bed surrounded by burnt forest
January 2020: After the 31 December bushfire
Image Concrete barriers contain a temporary road built across the dry creek bed
January 2020: A side track was quickly established to a allow temporary access
Image Flood water race down the creek where the bridge used to be
February 2020: Flood waters swept away the temporary track after heavy rain
Image People work to build the new bridge alongside the temporary access track
March 2020: Progress was underway with the more resilient temporary timber bridge
Image A loader works to restore access across atimber bridge
July 2020: Flood waters wreaked havoc on the road approaching the temporary bridge
Image A tracked machine drills vertical piles adjacent to the old timber bridge.
April 2021: A drill rig preps the site for the new bridge piles
Image A steel and concrete structure under construction sits above a creek adjacent to a low timber bridge
June 2021: Formwork for new deck shows the height of the new bridge
Image Guardrail lines a concrete bridge on a dirt road.
July 2021: Traffic is directed off the temporary timber bridge and on to the new bridge
Image A concrete bridge on a dirt road passes over a gravelly creek.
October 2021: The finished product
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Belowra Bridge

The damage: Completely destroyed

Current status: Permanent access restored

The work: We created an initial side track (then recreated the track after it was washed away) to maintain access until the bridge was replaced using the InQuik Bridging System.

Image The timber bridge sits amid she oak trees
Pre-fire: The picturesque timber bridge amid the she oak trees
Image The road drops off suddenly where the bridge used to be
January 2020: A sudden drop where the bridge used to be
Image A steel pipe runs under the road supported by large concrete blocks
January 2020: Little remains of the old timber bridge
Image A side track runs adjacent to the burnt out bridge
March 2020: The temporary fix provides access again
Image FLood waters have washed away large sections of the temporary crossing
May 2020: The side track sits adjacent to the ruins of the old bridge
Image Blocks and logs support material laid to form a creek crossing
July 2020: Flood waters ripped through the temporary side track
Image A bridge under construction sits above a narrow stream of water
July 2020: The temporary crossing is restored after the flood
Image A dirt road leads to a concrete bridge lined with guardrail
February 2021: The new bridge structure is in place awaiting a road surface
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Four Gums Bridge

The damage: Completely destroyed

Current status: Permanent access restored

The work: We established a temporary side track before replacing the bridge with a concrete structure

Image A single span timber bridge crosses a small gully
Pre-fire: The single-span bridge before the bushfire
Image Two burnt timber bridge girders straddle a dry creek bed
January 2020: The damage
Image A dirt side track winds around the side of the burnt out bridge
January 2020: A dirt side track provides access around the bridge
Image A dirt road passes over concrete pipes where the timber bridge once sat
February 2020: The permanent replacement opened the road on 26 February
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Sitters Ditch Bridge

The damage: Completely destroyed

Current status: Permanent access restored

The work: We established a temporary side track before replacing the bridge with triple cell piped culverts

Image A short timber bridge sits amid the forest
Pre-fire: The bridge sat in a lush forest
Image The bridge abutment walls no longer exist and the burnt girders straddle a dry creek bed
January 2020: The bridge abutment walls no longer exist and little is left of the deck
Image A side track winds around the burnt out bridge
January 2020: A temporary track winds around the burnt out bridge
Image A side track winds around the burnt out bridge
May 2020: The temporary side track was washed away by flood waters and later rebuilt
Image Rows of gabion baskets and rocks are stepped up a steep slope
March 2021: Gabion baskets are installed for the water spillway downhill from the bridge
Image An excavator places gravel around concrete culverts that go beneath a dirt road.
April 2021: The concrete culverts are in place and the new road is being built above
Image An excavator works above three concrete culverts positioned above gabion rock baskets
May 2021: The bridge replacement was opened to traffic in early May
Image A dirt road lined with guardrail leads into a forested area.
The final product: Guardrail lines the road over the new culverts
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Other areas

More info

For more information about please contact Council: