MUCH-needed upgrades will force the closure of the Denman Bridge on two occasions this month.
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Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) is carrying out work, which includes repairing damaged steel elements of the structure, between 6pm and 6am on Saturdays, February 9 and 23.
“Weather permitting, we expect to complete everything in two nights,” an RMS spokesperson said.
“In the lead-up to these closures, there will also be some lane closures in place at night.
“There’ll be lane closures in place during the day on February 9 and February 23, too.
“We apologise for any inconvenience – and thank everyone for the patience.”
To ensure the safety of workers and motorists, diversions are:
The northern detour – to Muswellbrook via the Golden Highway, Wybong Road and Bengalla Road – is expected to add up to 50 kilometres to journeys, which is about 35 minutes travel time.
The southern diversion – to Jerrys Plains via Martindale Road, Bureen Road and Jones Reserve Road – would likely add up to 40 kilometres to the trip, which equate to approximately 30 minutes.
However, restricted access heavy vehicles are not permitted to use these detours.
One alternative route is to follow Denman Road to the New England Highway at Muswellbrook, follow the New England Highway to Scone, turn onto Liverpool Street and head back to the Golden Highway at Merriwa via Saturn Road, Bunnan Road and Scone Road.
This would add up to 200 kilometres to the journey, which is about three hours travel time.
The Denman Bridge, on the Golden Highway, is a steel truss bridge spanning the Hunter River.
And, it has historic significance due to its role over almost 50 years as a crossing of a major waterway on a route linking Denman to surrounding dairy farms, vineyards, cattle and horse studs, as well as other larger towns such as Singleton and Muswellbrook.
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