Looking back at November 20, 1925
The railway bridge at Thirroul is a source of concern for locals today.
It is a noted pinch point in the often-congested suburb, as two lanes each way are reduced to one to cross over the railway line.
But it seems the railway crossing was not a new problem - issues were raised about it back in 1925.
In a report in the Illawarra Mercury of that year, the Bulli Shire Council discussed a plan to widen the approach on the eastern side of the bridge.
"President McNaughton [president of what, we're not sure] explained how the road was narrow and resulted in congestion when the trains were in," the Mercury reported.
The Railways Commission offered the council a strip of land on the eastern side to allow the road to be widened by 60 feet - 18 metres in today's measurement.
The council, which agreed to the proposal, would just have to pay the cost of removing a fence along the strip of land.
Glen Humphries
I'm an award-winning senior journalist with the Illawarra Mercury and have well over two decades' worth of experience in newspapers. I cover the three local councils in the Illawarra for the Mercury, state and federal politics, as well as writing for the TV guide. If I'm not writing, I'm reading.
I'm an award-winning senior journalist with the Illawarra Mercury and have well over two decades' worth of experience in newspapers. I cover the three local councils in the Illawarra for the Mercury, state and federal politics, as well as writing for the TV guide. If I'm not writing, I'm reading.
