McKanes Bridge

McKanes Bridge reopened to traffic on 30 November 2022.

McKanes Bridge was built in 1893 and is one of only four remaining McDonald timber truss bridges in NSW. Its restoration will ensure one of the oldest examples of a McDonald timber truss bridge in NSW is conserved.

The NSW Government has provided $10 million for the project to ensure the state heritage-listed timber truss bridge continues to serve the community while reducing maintenance needs in the future.

The upgrade includes replacing old timber elements with new timber and new heritage sympathetic materials to strengthen the bridge, while still retaining the appearance and design of the original bridge.

The first stage of work started on May 11, 2020 and the second stage of the work started on January 18, 2021.

The project is expected to be completed in March 2023, weather permitting.

• Upgrade the existing bridge to allow safe use by vehicles up to general mass limit (GML) standard.
• Replace the existing timber side rails with a steel traffic barrier over the full length of the bridge.
• Restore the condition of the major structural bridge elements to original condition (by replacement or repair).
• Preserve the heritage form of the bridge (truss type)
• The upgrade design is to have as minimal a negative impact to heritage value as possible, while still achieving the above proposal objectives.
• Minimise operating costs of the bridge as far as possible while still achieving the proposal objectives.

• Upgrading the structural capacity of the bridge
• Retaining the original McDonald timber truss design
• Upgrading critical structural elements of the bridge with superior and more durable elements
• Upgrading the existing bridge to allow safe use by vehicles up to general mass limit (GML) standard.

• October 2019 FAQs

• April 2023 project notification (PDF, 314.47 KB)
  McKanes Bridge at South Bowenfels closed to traffic on Wednesday 19 April
• September 2022 project notification

  Work continues on McKanes Bridge to reopen to traffic in November.

• November 2021 project notification

  Extended work hours at McKanes Bridge at South Bowenfels from Saturday 21 November 2021.

• June 2022 community update
• January 2021 community update
• October 2019 community update

• April 2020 submissions report

• April 2020 community consultaton report

• Review of Environmental Factors main report and appendices

• March 2021

  Batman swoops in to protect flying friends through bridge upgrade.

• January 2021

  Detour allows for upgrade of McKanes Bridge.

• 12 May 2020

  Restoration starts on 127-year-old McKanes Bridge.

• 22 April 2020

  McKanes Bridge upgrade moving ahead.