Bridport street reconstruction, access road work underway

The planned Bentley Street reconstruction is underway, something Dorset Council director of infrastructure Dwaine Griffin said was long overdue.

“The community seems very excited,” he said. “They’ve been asking for it for about 30 years.”

The reconstruction involves upgrading the streetscape, including stormwater drains, footpaths, curbs, retaining walls, and pavement, as well as laying down a new, wider road. There are also plans for “traffic calming” features such as pedestrian median strips.

The total project will cost the council about $2 million and is due to be completed in April next year. There will be some interruption to normal traffic flows, and the work will temporarily cease during the busy tourism season from December to February. 

Funds for the reconstruction will come out of the council’s $14 million capital expenditure budget, which Mr Griffin said was “considerably higher than other councils our size.” 

Meanwhile, further work is progressing on the $4.8 million Western Access Road between Bridport and George Town. 

Sections of the road have been completed at the southern George Town end, and a new bridge has been built over the Brid River.

Work is temporarily on hold during the rainy winter, and will recommence in September depending on weather. It is due to be completed in October next year at the earliest, Mr Griffin said.  

He said the road would ease traffic flow for commuters. 

“It will be a second access to Bridport, which is a safety benefit if there’s a fire or a flood,” he said. 

“It’s considerably shorter, and there’s a fair bit of industry out there, dairy and farming. All that heavy machinery will be able to use that road instead of trying to navigate the roundabouts in the middle of Bridport.” 

The Western Access Road will travel for 2.6 kilometres, between Bridport and Sandy Points roads, and cuts through the Bridport Wildflower Reserve.