Thirroul cycleway bridge out of action for six weeks during maintenance work

THE bridge over Hewitts Creek, linking Thirroul’s Hamilton Road and Sandon Point, Bulli, will close for about six weeks for essential repairs.

The popular cycling and walking pathway will be closed to allow Wollongong City Council to undertake maintenance work, which includes replacing the patched top-deck with a fibre-reinforced polymer minimesh decking system.

While the work is underway, a sign-posted detour will be in place that will provide cyclists the opportunity to use Thirroul’s pop-up cycleway, to ride through parts of McCauley’s Beach Estate and re-join the path from Wilkies Street. Pedestrians are also encouraged to use the alternative route.

The bridge will be closed from Monday, May 24 and is anticipated to be reopened by the end of July 2021.

Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said the harsh marine environment has taken its toll on the bridge’s structure and handrails.

“We’ve timed this work in winter to minimise the impact to the local community,” he said.

“However, we are asking people to modify how they move about for a little while and we thank them for their understanding.

“This project is important. Anyone walking or riding the bridge can see its current decking needs to be repaired. We’ve done some patching to keep it useable but it’s at the point now where we need to do a more extensive repair effort.

“The works will also include removing the handrails and taking them away for cleaning, repairs and regalvanising, and repairs and repainting to the steel super structure.”

Subscribe to the latest Bulli & Clifton Times’ stories

PAYPAL TIP JAR

YOU can make a small donation towards the running of The Bulli & Clifton Times and/or the Looking Back websites through Paypal. If you would like to support my work, you can leave a small tip here of $2, or several small tips, just increase the amount as you like. Your generous patronage of my work and research, however small it appears to you, will greatly help me with my continuing costs.

A$2.00

OR DONATE BY CREDIT CARD

Instead, you can make a small donation towards the publishing of The Bulli & Clifton Times and/or the Looking Back websites with your credit card. If you would like to support my work, you can leave a small donation here by tapping or clicking on the button below. Your generous patronage of my work and research, however small it appears to you, will greatly help me with my continuing costs.