Monkerai Bridge

Transport for NSW completed the upgrade to Monkerai Bridge in May 2020, which included replacing timber truss elements and repainting of the bridge.

Monkerai Bridge spans the Karuah River on Monkerai Road at Monkerai. The bridge is 98.5m long and is located in the Mid Coast Council area and Upper Hunter State Government electorate.

Built in 1882, Monkerai Bridge is an old timber truss road bridge and is one of the most significant bridges in NSW from a heritage perspective. It is the second oldest surviving timber truss bridge in the NSW road network and is an exceptionally rare example of an Old PWD truss bridge.

Monkerai Bridge is one of 26 identified for conservation in the Transport for NSW Timber Truss Bridge Conservation Strategy, which was developed in consultation with the Heritage Council of NSW. The strategy was developed to address the long term management of these structures and aims to establish a balance between infrastructure provision and heritage conservation.

Given its heritage significance, Monkerai Bridge was identified to be retained and upgraded to meet current vehicle load standards while preserving its heritage features. The bridge is listed on the State Heritage Register and there is a legislative requirement to retain the structure.

The NSW Government is funding the Monkerai Bridge upgrade as part of its $145 million Bridges for the Bush commitment to improve road freight productivity in regional NSW and reduce timber bridge maintenance costs by replacing or upgrading bridges.

The bridge was closed to traffic in 2004. Two alternate routes via Moores Road to the West (an extra 13km and up to around 18 minutes extra travel time) and the Buckets Way and Stroud Hill Road to the East (an extra 51km and up to around 60 minutes extra travel time) remain in place.

Transport for NSW will carry out work to upgrade Monkerai Bridge to strengthen the bridge to meet current vehicle loads and heavy vehicle requirements, as well as reduce future maintenance costs. The upgrade will improve safety for the community and motorists including freight.

The work will involve replacing and strengthening all components including the timber piers, the timber trusses, deck, traffic barriers and approach spans. The road approaches will also be upgraded as part of the work.

Monkerai Bridge is currently closed to traffic. As a result changes to traffic conditions and further disruption to the community is minimal.

Transport for NSW will advise the community of any changes to existing conditions as the project progresses

• December 2018 community notification
• August 2018 community notification

• Historic Monkerai Bridge re-opens to traffic - 18 May 2020