The removal of the old Sportsmans Creek Bridge at Lawrence is about to enter its final phase with a crane being brought in to lift free the truss spans.

Roads and Maritime Services Acting Director Northern Vicky Sisson says the project team has been busy preparing for the arrival of the barge-mounted crane.

“The crane will lift the trusses onto another barge to be floated down the Clarence River to the Harwood Marine Slipway,” Ms Sisson said.

“For the safety of workers and boaters, the Sportsmans Creek boat ramp and channel will be closed to all navigation for one week from Tuesday 2 April.

“Waterway users will not be able to use the area directly under the bridge during the work and will not have access through this area.

“An exclusion zone will be clearly marked under the bridge and will include buoys and flashing lights.”

Ms Sisson said the trusses will be disassembled on land in Harwood and the timber will go to a timber salvaging company for reuse.

“Some of the timber will be donated to the Lawrence Museum for display. Time lapse photography of the bridge’s removal is in progress and will be made available to the community once it is complete.”

The timber bridge was closed following the opening of the new Sportsmans Creek Bridge in February 2018.