Newell Highway Upgrade - New Dubbo Bridge project

Major work is underway on the New Dubbo Bridge project. We will keep the community updated with any construction updates and impacts. For more informaion, read the full media release here.

Work is currently underway on the new Brisbane and Darling Street intersection as part of the New Dubbo Bridge project.

As part of these works, Brisbane Street between Myall Street and River Streer will be closed from Monday 9 January for 2 months with a detour in place.

Find out more by reading the project notification letter.

In preparation for main works on the New Dubbo Bridge project, Abergeldie Complex Infrastructure will begin site establishment and investigation works. Work will take place in various locations across the project site, starting in December 2022 and continuing into the start of 2023.

No work will take place over Christmas, New Year, or the Australia Day public holiday. For more information, including a map of the site locations, read the project notification.

The New Dubbo Bridge provides a second high level river crossing in Dubbo during flood events and will maintain reliability for local, commuter and heavy freight traffic through Dubbo during these events.

Following investigation of six strategic options and community consultation, River Street was announced as the preferred route for the new bridge in May 2017.

The preferred option has been chosen to improve freight efficiency on the Newell Highway, reduce traffic congestion and provide an additional route during flood events. It will assist in easing congestion in Dubbo when needed most.

The 660 metre bridge will connect the western side of the Macquarie River to River Street, travelling over the flood plain west of the river. The Newell Highway Upgrade - New Dubbo Bridge project will also include:

• New and upgraded intersections at Whylandra Street, and the Newell Highway
• Realigning the Newell Highway with new separated lanes north of Whylandra Street
• Upgrading the intersection at Bourke Street and River Street.

Full funding for the Newell Highway Upgrade - New Dubbo Bridge project has been confirmed, comprising of $176 million from the Australian Government and $44 million from the NSW Government.

The detailed design for the New Dubbo Bridge has now been completed.

During the detailed design process, Transport for NSW worked with stakeholders and carried out survey, geotechnical and utility investigation works.

Workshops have been regularly held to refine the design and plan for construction so that we minimise impacts to traffic wherever possible.

Transport for NSW will continue to consult with the community during each phase of the project.

The project will provide significant employment opportunities as well as local and regional benefits to the Central West when major work is set to start to commence in 2023.

The early works supporting the main road and bridge construction are scheduled to start this year with the first early works tender being issued on 17 March 2022 for the

Brisbane St and Darling St intersection. Tenders for this early works package will close on Tuesday 19 April 2022.

An upgrade of the Mitchell Highway and Thompson Street intersection and test bridge piling in the flood plain will also commence this year.

In April 2022, Transport will call tenders for the main construction works and utility relocation works. The successful head contractor for the main construction contract is expected to be announced by the end of 2022 with work set to start at the beginning of 2023.

Local Contractors will also get the opportunity to attend an industry forum in Dubbo in May to network with pre-qualified tenderers. Businesses and suppliers can also register their interest to be involved in the project with the Industry Capability Network Gateway.

We will continue to update the community and key stakeholders in the lead up to and during construction.

The Review of Environmental Factors (REF) assesses the potential social and environmental impacts of the project and identifies ways to minimise these impacts. View or download a copy of of the REF main report. The full report is on the project documents page.

• February 2023 frequently asked questions (PDF, 315.7 KB)

• May 2019 project poster

  Building a better Dubbo - Road work, that works for you.

• May 2019 project postcard

  Know the facts.

• May 2019 project map

  New Dubbo Bridge.

• Dubbo Bridge fixing and varying road levels plans

  Newell Highway UPgrade New Dubbo Bridge Fixing or varying road levels

• January 2023 project notifcation
  Closure of Brisbane Street between Myall Street and River Street from 9 January 2023.
• December 2022 project notification
  New Dubbo Bridge start of preparation work notification
• November 2022 community update
  Building a better Dubbo.
• September 2022 community update

  Building a better Dubbo.

• August 2022 project notifcation

  Changed traffic conditions on Darling Street, Dubbo from Monday 15 August 2022.

• August 2022 community update
  Early works to begin on Monday 1 August.

• February 2022 community update

  Building a better Dubbo.

• September 2021 project notification

  Investigation work is continuing at various locations in Dubbo as part of the New Dubbo Bridge project from Wednesday 29 September.

• July 2021 community update

  Changed traffic conditions at three intersections for utility investigation work from Tuesday 6 July 2021.

• July 2021 project update
  New Dubbo Bridge.

• February 2020 community update

  Review of Environmental Factors (REF) Submissions Report and changes to the project design.

• May 2019 community update

  Building a better Dubbo - Road work, that works for you.

• New Dubbo Bridge REF Submissions Report

  New Dubbo Bridge.

• Building a better Dubbo 2019 Consultation Report

  Building a better Dubbo.

• 2016/2017 New Dubbo Bridge Consultation Report

  New Dubbo Bridge.

• May 2019 review of environmental factors report

  New Dubbo Bridge.

• May 2017 preferred option report

  New Dubbo Bridge.

• May 2016 options report

  New Dubbo Bridge.

• 1 August 2022

  The first phase of the New Dubbo Bridge project is now underway.

• 14 July 2022

  Contract awarded to build intersection as part of the New Dubbo Bridge project.

• 12 July 2021

  Investigation works underway on new Dubbo Bridge.

• New Dubbo Bridge REF Submissions Report

  New Dubbo Bridge.

• Building a better Dubbo 2019 Consultation Report

  Building a better Dubbo.

• 2016/2017 New Dubbo Bridge Consultation Report
  New Dubbo Bridge.

• May 2019 review of environmental factors report
  Main report.
• February 2019 review of environmental factors report
  Appendix C - Non Aboriginal Heritage.
• February 2019 review of environmental factors report
  Appendix D - Aboriginal heritage.
• February 2019 review of environmental factors report
  Appendix F - Traffic Transport Heritage.
• February 2019 review of environmental factors report
  Appendix G - Noise Vibration.
• February 2019 review of environmental factors report
  Appendix H - Water Quality.
• February 2019 review of environmental factors report
  Appendix I -Groundwater.
• February 2019 review of environmental factors report
  Appendix J - Hydrology Hydraulics.
• February 2019 review of environmental factors report
  Appendix K - Contamination.
• February 2019 review of environmental factors report
  Appendix L - Socio-economic.
• February 2019 review of environmental factors report
  Appendix M - Urban Design.
• February 2019 review of environmental factors report
  Appendix N - Biodiversity.

• May 2017 preferred option report

  New Dubbo Bridge.

• May 2016 options report

  New Dubbo Bridge.