Be part of the Shoalhaven’s history, take a twilight walk across the new Nowra Bridge

Before the new Nowra Bridge opens to traffic, the community is invited to take a commemorative walk across the bridge to mark this historic moment for the Shoalhaven.   
A Transport for NSW spokesperson said the twilight walk across the new bridge will be held on Thursday 23 February, signalling the start of the final work needed before vehicles can enjoy the new landmark.  
“Join us on the bridge before the sun goes down for a unique Welcome to Country before taking the opportunity to walk before you drive across the new bridge,” the Transport for NSW spokesperson said.  
“All are welcome to take part in the special opening twilight stroll that will also honour the connection the new bridge creates between Aboriginal lands and local communities.”  
The Transport for NSW spokesperson said, as well as celebrating the milestone, the walk was a way to say ‘thank you’ to local community members for their ongoing patience.   
“We have worked extensively in the area over the past few years, clocking up more than 890,000 hours of work towards the project so far, and we are grateful for the community’s understanding,” the spokesperson said.  
“And, with more than 65 per cent of the 2,200 workers being local to the area, this day also serves to thank everyone who has worked tirelessly on the project to make this milestone possible.”   
The Transport for NSW spokesperson encouraged residents to use the remaining weeks to drive across the historic bridge as, after 141 years of service, it will be retired from road traffic when the new bridge opens.  
“Savour the moment as you take a final drive across the original 1881 bridge as it is also an important moment in history because when it reopens after rehabilitation and repurposing work, it will take on a new life as a pedestrian and cyclist bridge,” the spokesperson said.  
The Transport for NSW spokesperson said, following this exciting milestone, there is still a lot of work to be done to complete the Nowra Bridge Project.  
“All five existing lanes of the Princes Highway between Bridge Road and Illaroo Road will temporarily shift west onto the new bridge in a staged process over one weekend to enable the new bridge to open to traffic,” the spokesperson said.  
“This temporary arrangement is required so we can prepare for the final configuration of the Princes Highway and will be in place until mid-2023, weather permitting."  
To make it easier for the community to get to and from the event, Transport for NSW will run free shuttle buses through Nowra and Bomaderry, with timetable and route details to be made available shortly here.
There is also a public event page on Facebook to help us gauge attendance numbers, we encourage all to join to keep across the latest information.
The walk is open to all, arrivals are welcome from 5.30pm with the walk to start from 6pm and finish at 8pm. 
The new Nowra Bridge is set to open to traffic by early March and the entire project is on track to be completed by 2024.   
The $342 million Nowra Bridge Project is jointly funded by the NSW and Australian Governments.