Frame Drive bridge at Abermain has been a hot topic around town since the April 21 storm forced its closure.
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Council announced on May 7 that the bridge would be closed for at least 12 months, while it seeks the $3.9 million funding to build a replacement.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Scot MacDonald visited the bridge on May 15 with councillors and council staff.
Mr. MacDonald has spoken to RMS representatives and roads minister Duncan Gay and said engineering reports are still to come.
“Now that it’s a Hunter Expressway feeder road, there’s a lot more traffic, so hopefully they see it fit to really fix it up,” he said.
“Obviously there is a big inconvenience to the community.
“It’s got to be made fit for its purpose.”
Once a quiet rural road, Frame Drive has become a busy connection to the Hunter Expressway since it opened in March 2014.
Now the bridge has been closed, motorists have to travel through Weston or Sawyers Gully, or via the unsealed Bathurst Street – against council’s advice.
A petition asking Cessnock City Council to fix the bridge is circulating in the community, with online and paper copies available.
Petition organiser Chantelle Farnham said local residents deserve better.
“It’s a major inconvenience,” she said.
“The bridge can’t be reopened; we need something better.”
Petitions are available at Weston Post Office, Weston Pharmacy, Alex Ross Automotive, Abermain Chemist, Abermain Public School office, Abermain Metro service station, Dr. Ismay’s practice, Abermain Newsagency, L.J. Hooker Cessnock, Lowes, Flanagan’s Menswear, Grice’s Bakery and Café and the Advertiser office; and online here.