Nelligen Bridge replacement

Finishing work on the Nelligen Bridge replacement project is now complete.

We would like to sincerely thank you, our community, for your patience throughout construction over the last four years.

View the final community update (PDF, 2.44 MB).

The NSW Government invested $148 million to build the replacement bridge on the Kings Highway over the Clyde River at Nelligen.

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 was completed in September 2024.

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

The Nelligen Bridge replacement project has provided:

• a new 349-metre-long bridge that includes:
  • 3.7-metre-wide traffic lanes in each direction
  • 2.5-metre-wide shoulders in each direction
• a two-metre-wide shared 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 and realignment of the Kings Highway approaches to the new bridge on both sides of the river
• a new intersection on the Kings Highway at Wharf Street
• upgraded intersections on the Kings Highway at Bridge View Road and Old Nelligen Road
• relocation of the existing bus stop and installation of a new shelter

• The project has improved safety for road users and pedestrians 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 has provided 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 has also improved urban design and access around the river’s foreshore with a new community space and viewing area built on the western abutment of the former bridge

• What work was involved?

  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 also 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.

• What does the new bridge feature?

  The new 349-metre-long bridge was built upstream of the original bridge over the Clyde River.

  The new bridge features two 3.7-metre-wide lanes, 2.5-metre-wide shoulders, and a 2.5-metre-wide shared path along the eastern side of the bridge.

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