Residents of Bundanoon are at cracking point with the deterioration and hazardous traffic conditions of the Anzac Parade bridge.
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Locals feel it’s only a matter of time before a catastrophic accident will take place at the overpass.
President of the Bundanoon Community Association, Christine Janssen can’t believe how cracked the Anzac Parade bridge has become but it’s not the only bridge shes worried about.
“All three bridges along the railway line have cracks in them and they’re all easily seen,” Ms Janssen said.
“One of the bridges has a whole piece that has lifted up and putty won’t fix that. The northern end bridge which is the access to the quarry has heavy vehicles constantly going over it and it’s becoming dangerous.”
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On previous inspection of the bridges, problems were found.
“This was looked at by Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) around three years ago,” Ms Janssen said. “They said the bridges needed upgrading but nothing has been done about it, It’s ludicrous.
There is only one resolution for the Anzac Parade bridge in the eyes of the Bundanoon residents.
“The bridge walls need to be completely re-done and a pedestrian crossing built on the side,” Ms Janssen said.
“If the bridge needs to be repaired, repair it now. Are we going to wait for an accident to happen? Why should we wait for an accident to happen when we can fix it before that?
There are concerns for residents from the nearby Warrigal Retirement Village as there is no proper footpath along the Anzac Parade bridge and they frequently have to use the bridges road to cross.
“When people try to cross the bridge it’s a nightmare,” Ms Janssen said.
“I tend to walk on the side of on coming traffic to see whats coming at me but I’m still on the road and it’s dangerous.”
Bridge users try to use the thin ledge on the side of the overpass to cross but it’s quite difficult for the elderly said Bundanoon resident Dorothy Swanton.
“One retirement village member got their scooter stuck on the railway line trying to avoid the bridge,” Ms Swanton said.
“I usually walk down to the train station crossing and take the longer way too. Using that bridge, you take your life in your hands, you really do.”
Residents of the retirement village with walking aids can’t see over the bridge’s walls and curves to witness on coming traffic.
“If you have a bus coming through, there’s no room for you to cross,” Ms Swanton said.
“The real problem is the line of sight, you can’t see around the bridges blind corner. You just don’t know whats coming for you.
“Each time I go across, I thank God when I get to the other side. It’s extremely dangerous.”
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It’s not just the elderly that are in danger said local resident Tina Mclarean.
“Young mums with prams have to race across the bridge because it’s the flattest and quickest way,” Ms Mclarean said.
“Young children walking to school don’t understand the danger, so they’ll run across on their bikes and scooters. If a truck is coming one way and a car is coming the other way and with that blind corner, they’re dead in an instant.
“Apparently the ARTC said the bridges have to be updated because they’re going to bring double decker trains to the area, so if they’re going to change it, do it now before someone gets killed.
“It’s really, really dangerous.”