New Nowra Bridge deck passes halfway point
Work on the new Nowra Bridge continues to power ahead with the new bridge deck now more than halfway across the Shoalhaven River.
The $310 million construction phase of the project and is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments.
Ten concrete segments have been launched for the new deck, pushing the bridge halfway across the Shoalhaven River. A further 9 segments are required for the bridge to reach the northern side of the river.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said the new bridge will improve freight productivity, reduce congestion and improve travel times.
“Construction of the new Nowra Bridge is powering ahead and we are looking forward to seeing this game-changing piece of infrastructure open to traffic,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
“Once complete, this new bridge will be a huge win for locals, improving traffic flow and easing congestion through the Nowra and Bomaderry areas.”
Deputy Premier and NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said about 85 per cent of trips across the existing bridges stop or start in Nowra or Bomaderry, which is the why this third crossing of the Shoalhaven River is so important, especially for locals going about their everyday lives.
“We’re making record investment in roads along the South Coast and it’s transforming communities, delivering safer, faster and more reliable travel to one of NSW’s fastest growing areas,” Mr Toole said.
“Currently at its peak, this project is supporting 200 jobs and, if work continues to power ahead at current rates, we expect cars will be travelling on the new bridge in about 12 months, weather permitting.”
Senator for New South Wales Hollie Hughes said the new bridge is on track to reach the northern foreshore next year, with an extensive amount of work then to complete before traffic can flow across it.
“This will include removing and reconstructing the area where the segments have been cast, installing the permanent bearings to connect the bridge segments to the piers, installing barriers, placing pavement layers, signs and line marking,” Senator Hughes said.
“It’s exciting to see the Nowra Bridge taking shape using a specialised technique known as incremental launching, where each segment is made on the southern foreshore and then launched across the river using hydraulic jacks, which push the bridge components to the other side.”
State Member for South Coast Shelley Hancock said the focus was now on planning for the future of the Old Nowra Bridge, with public consultation on the repurposing now open for two months until Friday 4 February, 2022.
“Community feedback in 2014 highlighted a tourism drawcard as one of the main themes people wanted for the 140-year-old bridge and we are giving this consultation the best chance to tap into visitor insights by holding it over summer holidays,” Mrs Hancock said.
“Feedback from locals told us they want the bridge to be an interactive space - a place that celebrates the heritage of the bridge and the Shoalhaven River, including Aboriginal heritage and have opportunities for plants along it. We are now asking both locals and tourists to help us refine these themes into actionable ideas.”
Critical maintenance work will be determined by Transport for NSW and will likely include fixing damage from heavy vehicle impacts, lead paint removal, repainting and rust repairs as well as repair or replacement of the bridge deck.
Community consultation is now open and includes an online “Have Your Say” survey.
Feedback will inform the Review of Environmental Factors (REF) which will be carried out next year.
Transport for NSW plans to have a proposal for the repurposing on display with the REF in late 2022.
To have your say on the future of the Old Nowra Bridge, visit nswroads.work/OldNowraBridge and complete the survey or write to the project team.
For more information on the new Nowra Bridge project, visit nswroads.work/NowraBridge.
Media contact:
Deputy Prime Minister – Antony Perry | 0477 971 654 | Antony.Perry@infrastructure.gov.au
Deputy Premier – Ella Smith | 0428 745 348 | Ella.Smith@deputypremier.nsw.gov.au