A NEW $15 million bridge will be built at Carrathool.
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The state government has committed $7.5 million through its fixing country roads program, while the federal government will pitch in $7.5 million from its bridge renewal program for a two lane concrete bridge.
The new bridge will allow heavy machinery and trucks to pass over it, something the current bridge is unable to accommodate.
Carrathool Shire Councillor Margaret Merrylees said she was delighted with the decision.
She said it was something she had been seeking for over a decade.
“It's absolutely wonderful, just the best thing for Carrathool Shire,” she said.
“It's not just this district that's going to benefit from it, as I've said it will be farming communities from Victoria to Queensland that will benefit from this new bridge as they will be able to get farm machinery and trucks over.
“It's a lovely heritage bridge but unfortunately it's past its use by date.”
Federal member for Riverina Michael McCormack is excited by the added benefits this bridge will have for the local community.
“It will make Carrathool that much more accessible,” he said. “As Adrian (Piccoli) has pointed out it's going to be a bridge to prosperity for the economical profile of Carrathool because farmers won't have to take their heavy equipment 120 kilometres down the road.
“This has been many years in the making, Margaret said she spent a dozen years advocating, lobbying for it but well done to Margaret and her family for helping to make this a reality.
“Sometimes these things do come about through passionate community effort and they also come about because you've got representatives like Adrian Piccoli and others who have campaigned long and hard and finally when the money does become available these kinds of things can get funded.”
Mr McCormack said dozens of people had lobbied for a new bridge.