New England Highway Bridge Barrier Improvement

Transport for NSW completed work on Liddell Deviation bridge in early 2023.

The work included installing steel beam supports under the bridge, demolition of the existing concrete barrier rail, widening of the existing bridge deck and the installation of new steel barrier rails.

The New England Highway bridge barrier improvement project will deliver safety upgrades to bridge barriers on four bridges on the New England Highway between Ravensworth and Liddell:

• Liddell Deviation Bridge (B1334)
• Bayswater Creek Bridge (B1335)
• Patrick Plains Bridge (B1338)
• Pikes Gully Bridge (B1337)

The bridge barriers were all built around 1966 with an old standard concrete traffic barrier and concrete end posts. The barriers have reached the end of their functional life and need to be upgraded to current safety standards.

The bridges will be widened as part of the barrier project to ensure there is safe width for heavy mining equipment which is transported along this section of the New England Highway, as well as improving traffic conditions for all road users by eliminating narrowing road sections.

The bridges range from 22 to 86 metres long and four are within a 7.2 kilometre section of the New England Highway between Ravensworth and Liddell.

It will take about nine months to complete the barrier replacement and widening at each bridge, weather permitting. Lane width restrictions will be in place while work is carried out, with a temporary speed limit reduction.

Transport for NSW has started developing designs for barrier upgrades on the remaining bridges which include Pikes Gully, Bayswater Bridge and Patrick Plains Bridge.

We will continue to keep the community updated as the project progresses.

• January 2022 project notification

  New England Highway Bridge Barrier Improvement Project – Liddell Deviation Bridge at Ravensworth.

• July 2021 project notification

  Start of work on Liddell Deviation Bridge on the New England Highway, Ravensworth, from Monday 19 July, 2021.