Two years ago today 29-year-old Roslyn Bragg, her 30-year-old partner Adam Holt and their two children, Madison, 3, and Jasmine, 2, and Ms Bragg’s 9-year-old nephew Travis were killed when a section of the Old Pacific Highway collapsed beneath them.

The five were en route to visit family when their car plunged into a collapsed culvert at Somersby.

NSW coroner Paul MacMahon later blamed Gosford City Council for the deaths because the council was responsible for maintaining the stretch of road, but had not acted in a “competent, professional and timely manner”.

Ms Bragg’s parents, Jim and Helen, have inspected a new structure that now spans the section of road that collapsed and is due to be opened at the end of this month.

The Bragg and Holt families have negotiated with the RTA, which recently confirmed that the bridge would be named after the family.

A plaque bearing each of the victims’ names and a verse will honour them.

Mr Bragg yesterday said that his family members would not be forgotten, “plaque or no plaque” but he welcomed the announcement.

The pain and anger at his loss is still evident, two years on.

He says they have visited the accident site regularly since the dreadful day.

“I’m drawn to it,” he said.

The Braggs, who now live in Bateau Bay, are grateful for the compassion of their old city.

“We still see a lot of Dubbo people, we’ve made some good friends,” Mr Bragg said.

The Braggs were in Dubbo recently to attend the wedding of one of Ms Bragg’s friends.

Ms Bragg was raised in Dubbo and maintained her connection with the city and its friends when she left aged in her early 20s.

Travis, son of Sharon, was born at Dubbo Base Hospital and spent a significant part of his short life in the city.

The plaque will be mounted on a sandstone block with landscaping in a vehicle parking area, Mr Bragg said.

“We all feel this is a fitting tribute to our family lost on that terrible day,” he said.

faye.wheeler@ruralpress.com