Engineers from Port Macquarie-Hastings Council have completed a structural analysis of Kindee Bridge, after an accident earlier this month.
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They have determined that one of the bridge bracing members and two hanger rods need to be replaced.
The analysis also found that the damage to the bridge has over-stressed the existing bridge bracing members, having to carry up to six times their normal load weight.
A council spokesman said that due to the age and complex nature of this bridge, replacement of the damaged bridge members requires a detailed repair methodology and installation of a temporary propping system to support the bridge while the new brace and hanger rods are installed.
“We’re currently in the process of finalising these arrangements and are working with local fabricators to create new bridge members in order to carry out the repair works to reopen the bridge as soon as possible,” he said.
“At this stage we are estimating four to six weeks for the bridge to re-open, but we’re working hard to reduce this time frame to two to three weeks, depending on material availability.”
