Gunnedah Bridge

A summary report for naming the new Gunnedah bridge has been submitted to Gunnedah Shire Council for their consideration. View or download the Summary Report (PDF, 1.17 MB).

• Contractor: Daracon
• Project cost: $61 million
• Completion date: Mid 2021.

The new bridge will provide an unrestricted Higher Mass Limit (HML) freight route through Gunnedah and improve local traffic efficiency and road safety. The new route replaces the existing New Street level crossing which will be permanently closed as part of this project.

This project is designed to improve road freight productivity by replacing or upgrading bridges across regional NSW.

A range of technical, environmental and social investigations and concept designs were undertaken to develop and assess the options for a second road over rail bridge.

The new bridge will be built west of the Gunnedah Maize Mill to link the Oxley Highway with Warrabungle Street. In addition to building a new bridge, the project includes: 

• upgrade of the Oxley Highway roundabout
• new roundabout at the intersection of Warrabungle and Conadilly streets (completed in December 2015)
• new intersection of Warrabungle and Barber streets
• shared path for cyclists and pedestrians.

A new roundabout at the intersection of Warrabungle and Conadilly streets was completed and opened to traffic in December 2015.

Gunnedah Shire Council delivered the roundabout, which is early work for the second road over rail project, on behalf of Roads and Maritime Services.

The new roundabout will ensure efficient traffic flow across the new bridge, which is in the detailed design phase.

The objectives of the project are to:

• provide a grade-separated crossing to facilitate a HML route through Gunnedah
• improve local traffic efficiency
• improve road safety
• improve road transport productivity, efficiency and reliability of travel
• minimise the impact on the natural, cultural and built environment
• provide value for money.

Roads and Maritime Services engaged consultant Kellogg Brown and Root (KBR) to develop concept options, including preparing the REF and stakeholder and community consultation.

The study area for a second road over rail bridge in Gunnedah was announced in December 2012. The study area extended from the Oxley Highway/New Street roundabout to the Kamilaroi Highway/Warrabungle Street intersection and included adjoining streets in Gunnedah.

The map of the study area (PDF, 247Kb) remains available to view or download.

In December 2012, two community drop in-sessions were held in Gunnedah to identify local priorities and issues. The feedback provided was compiled into a summary report.

The December 2012 Early Feedback Summary Report (PDF, 68.3Kb) remains available to view or download.

The feedback gathered in the December sessions was combined with information from technical studies to guide the development of preliminary concept options for the bridge.

The May 2013 Preliminary Concept Options Report (PDF, 68.3Kb) explains this process and remains available to view or download.

In May 2013, Roads and Maritime displayed three options - A, B and C - for community comment. During this time, Gunnedah Shire Council, the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC), and Transport for New South Wales were also consulted. Feedback gave further insight into stakeholder views on the advantages and disadvantages of the options. The feedback provided was compiled into a community submissions report.

The July 2013 Community Submissions Report (PDF, 6.36Mb) remains available to view or download.

After considering this community feedback and the findings of further technical studies, Roads and Maritime identified a refinement of Option C as the recommended option.

The August 2014 Recommended Option Report (PDF, 19.2Mb) explains this process and remains available to view or download.

Option C (Refined) was displayed for community comment in August 2014. The feedback provided was compiled into a community submissions report.

The November 2014 Community Submissions Report (PDF, 3.98Mb) remains available to view or download.

The feedback provided was used to guide Road and Maritime’s decision about the preferred option, which was then confirmed in November 2014.

The November 2014 Preferred Option Report (PDF, 5.49Mb) remains available to view or download.

After confirming the preferred option, Roads and Maritime progressed the concept design, undertook further technical and environmental investigations, and prepared a REF for the proposed second road over rail bridge.

In October 2014, relevant government organisations were informed via email that the REF was being prepared. The organisations included: Gunnedah Shire Council, ARTC, Department of Primary Industries (DPI), Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) and Office of Water. At this time, the organisations were invited to comment and advise of any interests, concerns or statutory requirements relating to the proposal. Comments received were considered in the REF (Section 5.5).

The June 2015 Review of Environmental Factors (PDF, 9.32Mb) remains available to view or download.

In June 2015, the community was invited to provide feedback on the published REF. The feedback received was collated in a submissions report.

The July 2015 submissions report (PDF, 1.65Mb) remains available to view or download.

After considering the issues, no changes have been made to the REF or proposal. Roads and Maritime determined that the project will go ahead as proposed.

• August 2021

  Finalists for Gunnedah overpass name announced.

• November 2020
  New Gunnedah Bridge opens to traffic early.

• November 2020
  Gunnedah locals walk over bridge to create history.

• October 2020
  Have your say on naming new Gunnedah bridge.

• September 2020
  Gunnedah Bridge in fast lane to axe freight pinchpoint.

• May 2020
  Gunnedah Bridge works power ahead.

• February 2020
  First girders lifted on new Gunnedah road over rail bridge.