The Horse Arm Creek Bridge has come a long way since opening many decades ago.
It’s survived many floods, arson attempts and major vehicle accidents.
And now at its ripe old age, residents who rely on the bridge each day hope that it may have some money thrown its way for an upgrade.
For many years, families along Stoney Creek Road have used the road each day, and last week several residents donned party hats and decorated the bridge with balloons to celebrate its 81st birthday. They say the bridge was opened in 1932, although the exact date is largely unknown after its plaque washed away years ago.
“Thirty-odd families use the bridge every day, plus there’s a school bus and workers go across it to get to the sub station,” said resident Ian Bailey, adding that it holds fond memories.
“I can remember getting a lift to school across it in the horse and sulky,” Ian said. “She’s got a lot of history just like any grand old lady.”
It was initially built to service around eight families along Stoney Creek Road and the then Narrabri Cemetery, Ian said.
“Back then, the heaviest loads would be a five-tonne load of wheat at harvest, delivered to stacks in the Narrabri goods yard,” he Ian.
“As the New England Highway became popular, this bridge took on a major new role of carrying much greater loads.
“Interstate transports would rumble over it day and night until a new highway was built west of town, because of severe disruptions caused by flooding.”
Flooding has been a common sight throughout the bridge’s history.
“Over the years the bridge has been in service she has seen many floods, the biggest was the ‘55 flood when both approaches were completely washed away,” Ian said.
The residents who rely on the bridge are now hoping government funding may become available to ensure vehicles can continue to cross it for another 81 years.
In April, Narrabri Shire Council tabled a consultants’ report on the safety and stability of 16 bridges across the region. It identified six of the 16 bridges as having “high risk defects” requiring urgent maintenance.
Among the six were the Horse Arm Creek, Barney’s Spring Creek, Harparary, Tullamullen Creek, Eulah Creek and Baradine bridges.
The report said the estimated cost to repair all the “high risk” bridges was $1.37 million.
Narrabri Shire Council has included the cost of repairs to shire bridges in its list of projects for which funds are sought in the Regional Infrastructure Priorities list, which was endorsed by Namoi councils earlier this year.
The NSW government has also introduced a “Bridges for the Bush” initiative, which aims to replace or upgrade bridges over the next five years, but the Horse Arm Creek Bridge hasn’t been included in a key list for the program.
“Lots of patch up jobs and coats of paint have kept the grand old lady looking respectable, however in later years she is showing her age,” Ian said.
“The 30-odd families of Stoney Creek Road think it’s about time her retirement became the subject of the government’s bridge replacement program.
“All agree the next bridge party should be the opening of a nice new concrete beauty.”