A $15.9 million restoration of the Briner Bridge is nearing the finish line. Clarence Nationals MP Chris Gulaptis said the bridge over the Coldstream River, between Ulmarra and Tucabia, was carefully deconstructed earlier this year for the restoration which will widen the structure to two lanes and increase its load capacity. “Briner Bridge is one of just two bridges of its kind in the entire state however it needed a revamp to bring it up to the needs of today,” Mr Gulaptis said. “This work will improve the bridge’s longevity and reduce future maintenance costs, while ensuring heritage features like the Dare truss and timber decking are maintained. “We’re just about ready to put these components in place and are on track to open it to traffic by Christmas. “This project is supporting 20 local jobs and providing work for 12 local suppliers and contractors, which shows how serious we are about investing in regional communities during these difficult times.” In order to lift the truss and timber deck into position, the temporary bridge over the Coldstream River will be closed from 6am Saturday November 28 to 8pm Sunday November 29, weather permitting. Coldstream Road will be closed on either side of the bridge and Gilletts Ridge Road will also have changed traffic conditions in place, with alternative routes to and from Tucabia via Coldstream Road at Tyndale, or via Eight Mile Lane and Wooli Road south of Grafton. Mr Gulaptis said all piling has now been completed, and the bridge piers and abutments are now in place, meaning the noisiest of the bridge building activities has finished. “We know this bridge is an important local structure, which has strong associations with the growth in the road network and boom in economic activity in the region during the early 1900s,” Mr Gulaptis said. “The single-span bridge is one of six operable Dare truss bridges and one of two single-span Dare truss bridges in NSW, so it’s great we’ve been able to restore it. “The community has been fantastic through this build, and I want to thank people for their patience.” For the latest traffic updates download the Live Traffic NSW App, visit livetraffic.com or call 132 701. More information about this project is available at www.rms.nsw.gov.au/projects/northern-bridges/briner-bridge.