Historic Nowra Bridge repurposing

Work is progressing on the repair and repurposing of the historic Nowra Bridge, as this local landmark prepares for a new life as a dedicated pedestrian and cyclist path across the Shoalhaven River. 

View the latest project update (PDF, 3.28 MB) to find out what’s been happening and what’s coming up. 
 

The historic Nowra Bridge has reached the end of its serviceable life for road traffic use and is unsuitable for modern traffic needs. The need to build a replacement bridge across the Shoalhaven River was identified due to the bridge’s poor condition, significant maintenance costs, and weight and size limits.

The $342 million Nowra Bridge project has provided a new four lane bridge over the Shoalhaven River and upgrades to over 1.7 kilometres of the Princes Highway, including improved intersections and additional lanes. The project has improved traffic flow and eased congestion on a major section of the Princes Highway, and delivers safer, more reliable journeys within the Nowra-Bomaderry area.

The historic bridge was retired from road traffic use when the new Nowra Bridge was opened to traffic in February 2023, with its future the subject of extensive investigations.

Community feedback was sought in late 2014 to help decide whether to retain, relocate, or remove the bridge. Feedback received indicated a clear desire from the community to see the bridge retained, and several key themes emerged on how the bridge could be used. The submissions report from this consultation can be viewed in project documents.

In 2018 a decision was made to retain and repurpose the bridge as a dedicated pedestrian and cyclist path. This decision was based on the historical significance and heritage value of the bridge, while also considering the community’s wishes and the expected benefits to the area.

In late 2021 and early 2022, the community was invited to make suggestions on what opportunities the repurposing creates, and what else could be included to create a sustainable, flexible, and exciting future for the historic bridge. A report summarising the over 1200 submissions has been published and can be viewed in project documents.

A Review of Environmental Factors (REF) to assess the impacts of the repurposing work has been published and can be viewed in project documents.

Before the historic bridge moves into its next phase of life, essential maintenance work is required to make the bridge safe for pedestrian and cyclist use.

Repairing and repurposing of the historic bridge will be carried out in four stages, with the full program of work expected to take around three years to complete, weather permitting.

Updates will be shared with the community as work progresses across the project.

The three-year program of work can be broken down into four main stages: 

Stage one 

The first stage of work will started in November 2024. During the first stage, we have established the site compound and completed early works, which included removing and repairing damaged truss elements and carrying out other minor repairs to the bridge. 
Repairs to the truss elements are ongoing and are expected to be completed by the end of 2025.  

Stage two 

From late 2025, we’ll begin work to prepare the bridge for repainting. Work will involve installing scaffolding and removing the attached cantilever pedestrian walkway. 

This work is expected to take three to six months to complete, weather permitting. 

Stage three 

From around March 2026, we’ll begin the process of repainting the bridge. Abrasive blasting will be carried out to remove existing paint and, during this work, we’ll wrap sections of the bridge to prevent any contaminants entering the river below. The sections will remain wrapped while we apply new paint to all the steel elements – in the classic colour of ‘Bridge Grey’ of course! 
This is a lengthy process and involves strict environmental controls. It’s expected to take 12 to 18 months to complete, weather permitting. 

Stage four 

Once the task of painting the bridge is complete, we’ll begin other repair work including pier strengthening, applying corrosion protection to the bridge piers, and installing new lighting, new handrails, street furniture and other shared path features.

What will happen to the historic Nowra Bridge?

The historic bridge was retired from road traffic use when the new Nowra Bridge opened in February 2023.

The future of the historical bridge has been the subject of extensive investigations and in 2018 it was decided the bridge would be retained and repurposed as a dedicated pedestrian and cyclist path.
The decision was based on the historical significance and heritage value of the bridge, while also considering the expected benefits to the area and community feedback.

Transport for NSW is working closely with Shoalhaven City Council to repair and repurpose the historic bridge to ensure it fits with Council's broader plans for the foreshore.

Why is the bridge being repurposed instead of removed or used for more lanes of road traffic?

Community consultation carried out in 2014 showed a strong desire for the historic bridge to be retained and repurposed into a dedicated pedestrian and cycle path.

The 1881 bridge has reached the end of its serviceable life for road traffic use and design  is unsuitable for modern traffic needs. Its weight and size limits restrict the flow of heavy vehicles across the Shoalhaven River and down the south coast.

The decision to repurpose the bridge was based on its historical significance and heritage value, while also considering the expected benefits to the area and community feedback.

What maintenance work is required to repurpose the bridge?

Work to repair and repurpose the bridge will involve critical repairs to damaged and degraded elements of the bridge, prioritised repainting, removal of the attached footpath, improved lighting, and the installation of new features so the bridge meets current safety standards suitable for use by pedestrians and cyclists.

The old bridge has worked hard over the last few decades and is now in need of a lot of time and care to bring it back to its former glory and preserve it for years to come. 

The work required is very detailed and labour intensive. Completing the work to a high standard will take a significant amount of time, but it will ensure the longevity of the bridge. 

How big is the historic bridge?

The historic bridge is around six metres wide and 342 metres long.

What is the heritage value of the bridge?

The historic bridge is a rare example of a pin-jointed Whipple truss bridge is listed on several heritage registers as having both local and state significance, including on Transport's Section 170 Heritage and Conservation Register. It is one of the oldest functioning crossings in the region.

Whipple truss bridges are rare in Australia, with only two in NSW and two in Queensland. The historic Nowra Bridge is Australia’s oldest Whipple truss bridge, and the only example built of wrought iron and as a road bridge. The other Whipple truss bridges in Australia were built as railway bridges and are no longer in use. When it opened in 1881, the old bridge across the Shoalhaven River was the largest bridge project in NSW. 

Does the heritage significance limit repurposing options?

The historical and structural significance of the bridge was a key factor in the decision to retain it however, it has limited the repurposing options.

The planned work is sympathetic to the bridge's existing heritage value and appearance, while enhancing its functionality and use by the surrounding community.

Can there be markets on the bridge?

As the historic bridge is only around six metres wide and the area is prone to strong gusts of wind, it is unsafe to have market stalls set up along the bridge. There are also environmental concerns including the risk of large amounts of rubbish falling or blowing into the Shoalhaven River and contaminating the catchment area.

Why can’t the bridge be used for rail or overflow traffic?

The historic bridge has reached the end of its serviceable life for heavy vehicle traffic and would not be able to withstand the weight and motion impacts of a modern passenger or freight train.

The bridge is operationally unsuitable to cater for future traffic demands or rail usage and has been replaced by the new four lane bridge.

The Future Transport Strategy 2056 does not identify extending the South Coast Rail line into Nowra or further south as an initiative for investigation in the short, medium, or long term.

Who will maintain the historic bridge once it has been repurposed?

The historic bridge will remain a Transport for NSW asset after repair and repurposing work is complete.

Transport for NSW will be responsible for the ongoing maintenance of the structure and its foundations.

How much will it cost to repurpose the bridge?

$20 million is currently allocated to the repair and repurposing work, with additional funding being sought.

How can I stay informed?

To receive updates about the repurposing project, please join our mailing list.

• September 2025 community update (PDF, 3.28 MB)
  Mid-year update on the repurposing project
• November 2024 community update (PDF, 2.18 MB)
  Wrapping up the Nowra Bridge project and beginning work on the historic bridge
• December 2021 project update
  Have your say on the repurposing of the historic bridge.

• August 2024 - Review of Environmental Factors for the historic Nowra Bridge - Main report and Appendices A-B (PDF, 13.75 MB)
• August 2024 – Review of Environmental Factors – Appendices C-G (PDF, 14.46 MB)
• August 2024 – Review of Environmental Factors – Appendix H (PDF, 14.27 MB)
• August 2022 - historic Nowra Bridge Community Consultation Summary Report
• May 2015 - Historic Nowra Bridge Community Consultation Summary report