Final girder lift as community invited to have a say on future name of the new Dubbo Bridge
A major milestone will soon be reached on Dubbo’s biggest piece of infrastructure with the final bridge girder to be craned into place in coming days.
The last of the more than 120 pre-stressed concrete girders will be lifted into place on the western end of the 660-metre long bridge, where the new structure crosses the Macquarie River.
Meanwhile, what to call the new bridge is again in focus and the community has until Sunday 4 May to show their support for one of four shortlisted Wiradjuri names or suggest an alternative bridge name that demonstrates a connection to the location but is not necessarily Aboriginal in origin.
A panel of local First Nations representatives has considered all Wiradjuri names put forward during community consultation with the local First Nations community last year to determine the shortlist of names which are:
1. Wambuul, “Macquarie River”
2. Nguluway, meaning “meeting each other”
3. Bunglegumbie, one of the clans of Dubbo
4. Aunty Pearl Gibbs, an Aboriginal activist and leader who fought for Aboriginal rights for 50 years, including community work in Dubbo.
Transport for NSW A/ Director West Katrina Dwyer said the wider community had five weeks to provide feedback on the shortlisted Wiradjuri names and/ or make other suggestions.
“As we near the homeward stretch, it is time to focus on what we should name this high- level bridge designed to carry traffic in all weather conditions over the Macquarie River and across a half a kilometre of floodplain to connect with the Newell Highway,” Ms Dwyer said.
“Transport for NSW last year started the process of finding a name that celebrates the city’s culture and history and is working closely with Dubbo Regional Council which will have the final say on the bridge name.
“All bridge name suggestions will be provided to Dubbo Regional Council for consideration. Council will review the submissions and recommend a bridge name to Transport for NSW and once this has been confirmed consistent with NSW Geographic Names Board guidelines and Transport for NSW signage, an announcement will be made about the new name.
“With the girders installed, crews can continue pouring the concrete to form the bridge deck, installing parapets, streetlights and laying the road surface to complete the bridge ready for traffic.
“During construction, work on the largest infrastructure project in Dubbo is supporting an estimated 290 direct and 1200 indirect jobs.
“Once open to traffic, the New Dubbo Bridge is set to transform the way locals, tourists and freight operators travel through Dubbo by easing congestion, allowing for future growth in north-west Dubbo and improving access across the Macquarie River, particularly during flood events.”
Work began on the 660-metre bridge which crosses the Macquarie River and a large portion of the surrounding flood plain in March 2023.
Following investigation of six strategic options and community consultation, River Street was announced as the preferred route for the new bridge in May 2017.
The preferred option has been chosen to improve freight efficiency on the Newell Highway, reduce traffic congestion and provide an additional route during flood events.
The $263.2 million project is jointly funded by the Australian and NSW governments and is on track for completion in 2026.
Go to https://www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/new-dubbo-bridge to vote on one of the shortlisted Wiradjuri name options or to suggest a new name for the bridge before 4 May 2025.
For more information on the New Dubbo Bridge, visit nswroads.work/ndb.