Locals help to build Batemans Bay Bridge

2 July 2020

The new Batemans Bay Bridge is powering ahead with the help of a local and diverse workforce.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the new substructure of the $274 million bridge was now complete with more than 500,000 worker hours invested in the project so far.

“When complete, the new Batemans Bay Bridge replacement project will deliver safer and more reliable journeys while also improving highway intersections and connections in and around Batemans Bay,” Mr Toole said.

“The NSW Government’s Infrastructure Skills Legacy Program has seen groups typically under-represented in the construction sector take part in building the new Batemans Bay Bridge.”

Member for Bega Andrew Constance said nearly half of all workers on the project are local, seven per cent are female, 10 per cent are Aboriginal and 14 per cent are under 25.

Mr Constance said the project was helping the Batemans Bay community to build and improve skills and experience within the local workforce.

“The Batemans Bay Bridge project is giving people an opportunity who might otherwise struggle to gain this valuable exposure,” Mr Constance said.

Mr Constance said now that the substructure was complete, the focus would continue on segment production and installation to form the main bridge deck.

“More than 20 concrete bridge segments weighing between 80 and 105 tonnes each have already been erected so you can start to see the new bridge taking shape,” Mr Constance said.

Upcoming completions over the next three months on the project include a side track to allow for the realignment of Clyde Street west, and retaining walls and embankments for both approaches.Early preparation work for a new floating pontoon on the southern foreshore of the Clyde River is continuing and earthworks for a new roundabout and continuing realignment of Wharf Road is starting.

For more information, go to rms.nsw.gov.au/batemansbaybridge.