Nelligen Bridge Replacement

All  work, including finishing the community foreshore spaces and removing the existing underwater bridge piles  is now expected to be complete by mid-2024, weather permitting. View the October 2023 project update (PDF, 2.13 MB) to find out more about what’s been happening and what’s coming up on the project.

The Kings Highway between Thule Road and Reid Street is now in its final road alignment. The Kings Highway and Wharf Street intersection also opened into its new arrangement with line marking work planned to be carried out in the coming weeks.

The NSW Government is investing $148 million for the construction of a replacement bridge on the Kings Highway over the Clyde River at Nelligen in New South Wales.

The Kings Highway plays an important role as the key east-west route for commuters and freight between the ACT / Queanbeyan region and the NSW far south coast. At a local level, the highway connects Nelligen and greater Eurobodalla region to employment, health and education resources in the ACT / Queanbeyan region.

Seymour Whyte Constructions was awarded the construction contract for the project and major work started in early 2021.

The new bridge opened to traffic in February 2023, and the project is expected to be completed by mid-2024, weather permitting.

The new bridge provides safer and more reliable journeys on the Kings Highway for motorists, freight, pedestrians and cyclists.

The new 349-metre-long bridge includes:

• 3.7-metre-wide traffic lanes in each direction
• 2.5-metre-wide shoulders in each direction
• A two-metre-wide pedestrian path on the southern side of the bridge with connections to Thule Road on the eastern side of the river and the existing footpath on Braidwood Street on the western side of the river
• Upgrades to the Kings Highway approaches to the new bridge on both sides of the river
• A new intersection between the Kings Highway and  Braidwood Street
• Upgraded intersections between on Kings Highway at Bridge View Road and Old Nelligen Road
• Relocation of the existing bus stop and installation of a new shelter

• The project improves safety for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists by providing an improved curve on the eastern side of the bridge, wider lanes and shoulders and safety barriers between the road and footpath
• The new bridge provides a safe and reliable crossing over the Clyde River and has been built with a 100 year bridge design life
• The project will provide better and more reliable trips for people, business and freight particularly for those travelling on the Kings Highway between Batemans Bay and Canberra
• The project will also improve urban design and access around the river’s foreshore with a new community space and viewing area to be built on the western abutment of the existing bridge

• What work is being carried out?

  Work involved constructing the new 349-metre-long bridge and abutments, building the new alignment of the Kings Highway, constructing a two-metre-wide shared user path, intersection upgrades with local roads, demolishing the existing bridge, and landscaping works to improve the urban design and access around the river’s foreshore.

  As part of this project, we have made improvements to the Kings Highway and The River Road intersection to enable heavy vehicles from the east to turn around and safely access the Nelligen Bridge project site, as well as ensuring the safety of bus stop users and other vehicles entering or exiting The River Road.

• How will the bridge be built?

  The main feature of the Nelligen Bridge Replacement project is the new 349 metre long bridge built with 11 spans of 1.5 super T-beams to the upstream of the existing Kings Highway bridge over the Clyde River.

  The height of the new bridge (at road level) ranges between about 6.5 and 7.7 metres above the Clyde River.

• What is the estimated completion date?
  The new bridge opened to traffic in February 2023. Project completion is expected to be complete in mid-2024, weather permitting.
• Will river access be impacted during construction?
  River access will be maintained throughout the entire construction and demolition process. At times there may be changes to the current channels and exclusions zones implemented for the safety of the boating community, however access through the site will always be maintained.
• Will there be delays or access changes on the Kings Highway during construction?
  The Kings Highway will remain open throughout the entire construction process.
• What are the project’s standard construction hours?

  Generally, work will be carried out between 7am and 6pm, Monday to Friday and 8am to 1pm Saturdays.

  Nearby residents will be notified at least five days in advance of any activities scheduled outside of these working hours.

  Some reasons we may need to work outside our standard construction hours include safety, traffic, emergency work, unplanned events, utility service outages and rail possessions.

• How will traffic be impacted during construction?

  We may need to temporarily change traffic conditions along the Kings Highway and other roads to ensure the safety of workers and motorists. Changes may include reduced speed limits, concrete barriers and temporary fencing, traffic control, night work, and traffic switches.

  We ask that motorists follow traffic signs and instructions from our traffic management crews.

• How will I access the town centre during construction?

  Access to the town centre will be maintained at all times during construction.

  Changed traffic conditions will be in place at various times during the project and will be widely communicated well in advance.

  For the latest traffic updates call 132 701, visit the Live Traffic NSW website or download the Live Traffic NSW app.

• 25 January 2023
  Community bridge walk and celebration to mark opening of new Nelligen Bridge