Bridges for the Bush program

Reviewed

Project overview

Improving road freight productivity in regional NSW.

Project information

Program information

In October 2012 the NSW Government in partnership with the Australia Government is committed to improving road freight productivity by replacing or upgrading bridges across regional NSW. 

Two priority programs to help manage ageing assets and provide the biggest benefit to freight productivity are being implemented. 

Background

The NSW road network is critical to the movement of freight in Australia. Half the nation's road freight and three quarters of all interstate road freight journeys are on NSW roads. With the road freight task predicted to nearly double by 2030, significant investment in the NSW road network is required to meet the demand for increased access of larger, safer and heavier freight vehicles.

Addressing the state's deficient rural bridges is a key priority for NSW investment as the bridges currently present the most critical restrictions to freight access.

Benefits

The Bridges for the Bush initiative will enhance freight productivity in country NSW. It is an investment in critical infrastructure to remove a number of significant freight pinch points or bottlenecks on the state road network and to improve the safety and reliability of some old bridge structures. The replacement or upgrade of five Higher Mass Limit deficient bridges alone will remove 8,000 heavy vehicle trips from the freight task each year. This will save the state more than $200 million in economic, social and environmental costs over the next 30 years.

Once replaced all these bridges will have significantly reduced annual recurrent maintenance costs.

Bridges yet to start delivery

Bridges currently being delivered

BridgeDescriptionCompletion

Echuca - Moama Bridge

Provide a new HML bridge crossingMid 2022

McKanes Bridge

Strengthen timber bridgeMid 2022
Bridges delivered
BridgeDescriptionCompletion

Briner Bridge

Strengthen timber bridgeApril 2021

Colemans Bridge

Strengthen timber bridgeMay 2021
Gunnedah Railway BridgeNew bridge over railway on new road alignmentNovember 2020
Tabulam BridgeReplace timber bridge with a new concrete bridgeSeptember 2020
Monkerai Bridge over Karuah RiverStrengthen timber bridgeMay 2020
Barrington BridgeReplace timber bridge with a new concrete bridgeMay 2020
Gee Gee BridgeReplace timber bridge with a new concrete bridgeMarch 2020
Charleyong BridgeReplace timber bridge with a new concrete bridgeMarch 2020
Lignum Creek BridgeTimber bridge replaced with a new concrete bridgeMay 2019
Glennies Creek BridgeTimber bridge strengthenedMarch 2018
Lawrence - Sportsmans Creek BridgeTimber bridge replaced with a new concrete bridgeFeb 2018
Bemboka BridgeConcrete bridge widenedDec 2017
Dunmore BridgeTiimber bridge strengthenedOct 2012
Crookwell River BridgeTimber bridge replaced with a new concrete bridgeJul 2014
Carrathool BridgeTimber bridge strengthenedApr 2015
Tulladunna BridgeSteel truss bridge replaced with a new concrete bridgeMay 2016
Holman BridgeTimber bridge replaced with a new concrete bridgeFeb 2015
Kapooka BridgeBrick arch bridge replaced with a new concrete bridgeJun 2016