Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has been left confused by Transport for NSW’s review of signage at William Bradford Bridge following a third serious crash in five years. Photo: Supplied.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has pledged to continue advocating for a widening or replacement of the William Bradford Bridge despite advice from Transport for NSW that current signs and road markings meet Australian standards.
Widely considered the most dangerous bridge in the Cootamundra local government area, William Bradford Bridge has recorded three serious incidents (crashes with more than three people injured) since September 2019.
Last month an incident at the bridge involving a fuel tanker and a semi-trailer reignited calls for the NSW Government to address growing safety concerns.
This led to Minister for Regional Roads and Transport Jenny Aitchison instructing Transport for NSW to undertake a further review of the bridge to ensure it met all appropriate safety standards.
This safety assessment identified no significant road safety enhancements, only minor works including the:
- Installation of ‘No Overtaking On Bridge’ signs near the bridge approaches
- Installation of width markers on bridge approaches where the road narrows.
The following potential safety improvements were identified:
- Westbound merge lane (about 1.8 km east of the bridge):
- Replace the ‘Form 1 Lane’ sign with a ‘Merge Right’ sign, as it’s better suited for lane changes
- ‘Left Lane Ends’ sign shows 500 metres, but the lane ends in about 300 metres, requiring a minor correction.
- Eastbound merge lane (about 1.7 km east of the bridge):
- Replace ‘Form 1 Lane’ sign with ‘Merge Right’ sign
- Install ‘Left Lane Ends’ sign with 500 metre distance sign at an appropriate location.
“I appreciate the minister’s timely response following last month’s incident, but the advice from Transport for NSW does not stack up with what drivers are seeing every day,” Ms Cooke said.
“The rate of serious crashes at the William Bradford Bridge should be more than enough proof that the William Bradford Bridge is unsafe.
“Anyone who drives the Burley Griffin Way knows how notorious this spot is — and I’ll keep fighting for the right outcome, with the risk of history repeating itself still hanging over us.
“I welcome the minor upgrades which Transport for NSW propose and will implement in the next financial year, but make no mistake that this is a band-aid solution, and that the William Bradford Bridge requires serious intervention.”
