Newell Highway Upgrade - New Dubbo Bridge project

Construction is continuing at various locations in Dubbo over the next two months. 

Read more about these works by reading our latest notification letter (PDF, 583.4 KB). 

Motorists are advised of a wide load / OSOM detour being implemented on the Newell Highway between Victoria Street and Thompson Street in Dubbo from Friday 16 February 2024 until December 2025.

Wide loads / OSOM 4.8m or greater in width, travelling northbound only, will need to detour via the Mitchell Highway and Thompson Street.

Motorists are advised to drive to the conditions, follow the directions of signs and traffic control, and allow up to five minutes of extra travel time.

Transport for NSW thanks motorists for their patience during this work.

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Construction is continuing at various locations in Dubbo over the next two months.

Read more about these works by reading our February notification letter (PDF, 563.66 KB).

For all the latest news on the New Dubbo Bridge project, read the January 2024 community update (PDF, 1.16 MB).

The next major milestone for the New Dubbo Bridge is now underway, with the placement of the first of more than one hundred, 60-tonne girders each spanning almost 34 metres, between the vertical pillars.

Read the full media release here.

Construction is continuing at various locations in Dubbo throughout the next eight weeks.

Read more about these works and construction over the holiday period by reading our December notification letter (PDF, 242.22 KB).

As part of our construction program, we will be relocating and installing utilities on River Street between Bourke and Darling Street. This includes relocating and replacing high voltage power poles. 

To enable this work, there will be a power outage along River Street on Sunday 12 November from 8am - 5pm. 

Find out more by reading the project notification letter (PDF, 253.89 KB).  

As part of the New Dubbo Bridge project, construction is continuing at various locations in Dubbo during October and November 2023.

There will be changed traffic conditions at two locations, including the intersection of Bourke and River Streets, and the intersection of Whylandra and Thompson Streets.

Find out more by reading the project notification letter. (PDF, 240.65 KB)

From Thursday 14 September, we will be removing trees from Bourke Street at the intersection of River Street in Dubbo to allow for road widening and improved drainage as part of the New Dubbo Bridge project. For more information, download the notification letter (PDF, 439.51 KB).

For all the latest news on the New Dubbo Bridge project, read the latest community update (PDF, 3.43 MB).

As part of the New Dubbo Bridge project, construction is continuing at various locations in Dubbo during August and September 2023.

There will be continuation of land piling, commencement of river piling, delivery of girders, and changed traffic conditions including the permanent closure of River Street between Brisbane and Bourke Streets.

For more information, read the full media release or download the project notification letter. (PDF, 730.81 KB)

Local primary school students in the Dubbo Regional Council area have a wonderful opportunity to name the tower crane that is on-site to assist with the construction of the new Dubbo Bridge.

Students are invited to colour-in a drawing of the crane and suggest a name for the crane on the entry form. The winning name will not only receive fantastic prizes but will also be proudly displayed on a banner attached to the tower crane, visible to the entire community.

Best Crane Name

The chosen name will be showcased using a flag on the crane, and the winning student will receive a $200 book or sporting goods voucher for their school.

The top colouring-in submissions will also be awarded prizes across the following categories:

• K-2 Winner $100 book or sporting goods voucher
• K-2 Runner-up $50 book or sporting goods voucher
• 3-6 Winner $100 book or sporting goods voucher
• 3-6 Runner-up $50 book or sporting goods voucher

A diverse selection of student entries will be displayed at the New Dubbo Bridge Office (4/36 Darling Street, Dubbo) and the winner of the 'Best Crane Name' will receive an invitation to attend a crane-naming ceremony, with the specific date yet to be announced.

• Download competition entry form (PDF, 298.34 KB)
• Download competition terms and conditions (PDF, 111.58 KB)
• Find out more by reading the media release

For questions or further information, email Jlinehan@abergeldie.com

Competition closes 5pm 31 August 2023

123 girders will be delivered to Dubbo between now and August 2024, to be added to the structure that will become the New Dubbo bridge. For more information view the full media release.

As part of the New Dubbo Bridge project, construction is continuing at various locations in Dubbo during June and July 2023.

There will be changed traffic conditions at two locations, including the intersection of Bourke and River Streets, and the intersection of Whylandra and Thompson Streets.

Find out more by reading the project notification letter (PDF, 1007.8 KB).

From Monday 29 May, we will commence shoulder widening at the intersection of Mitchell Highway and Thompson Street.

As part of these works, a detour will be in place from 6am to 6pm on Sunday 18 June.

Find out more by reading the project notification letter (PDF, 372.82 KB).

As part of the New Dubbo Bridge project work, Wiradjuri Park will be temporary closed to allow for construction of the new road alignment. Plans to beautify Wiradjuri Park are being developed and we will be consulting with the local Aboriginal community, residents, and key stakeholders.

For more information view the project notification (PDF, 445.81 KB).

As piling work commences for construction of the New Dubbo Bridge, temporary traffic changes will be put in place to accommodate the piling rig.

For more information, view the project notification (PDF, 236.05 KB).

Major work is underway on the New Dubbo Bridge project. We will keep the community updated with any construction updates and impacts.

For more information, read the full media release or download the project notification (PDF, 332.89 KB).

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 (PDF, 650.84 KB).

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.

Transport for NSW’s Head Contractor for the New Dubbo Bridge project, Abergeldie Complex Infrastructure, commenced the first stage of the major construction work in early April 2023.

Work is underway with piling on land. Piles create a strong foundation for the bridge and are expected to be completed by late 2023, weather permitting.

Utility investigations have commenced at the intersection of River and Bourke Street and Whylandra and Thompson Street. To enable these works, the road shoulders of Bourke and River Street will be closed.

Transport for NSW will continue to update the community with any construction updates and impacts.

The project is providing significant employment opportunities as well as local and regional benefits to the Central West throughout the major work phase.

River piling will start from mid-June, depending on weather and the river water level.

This activity is continuous, noisy, and vibration will be felt in the surrounding area. We will make every effort to minimise impacts during the work.

Noise and vibration monitoring will also be carried out. If there is any other way that we can support you during these works, please let us know.

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

• March 2024 community update (PDF, 583.4 KB)
  Work continuing: Thompson, Whylandra, Bourke and River Streets in Dubbo.
• February 2024 community update (PDF, 563.66 KB)
  Work continuing: Thompson, Whylandra, Bourke and River Streets in Dubbo
• January 2024 community update (PDF, 1.16 MB)
  New Dubbo Bridge project community update.
• December 2023 project notification (PDF, 242.22 KB)
  Work continuing: Thompson, Whylandra, Bourke and River Streets in Dubbo.

• November 2023 project notification (PDF, 253.89 KB)
  New Dubbo Bridge - Out of hours power outage notification

• October 2023 project notification (PDF, 240.65 KB)
  Work continuing: Thompson, Whylandra, Bourke and River Streets in Dubbo

• September 2023 project notification (PDF, 439.51 KB)
  Tree removal from Bourke Street at the intersection of River Street in Dubbo to allow for road widening and improved drainage.

• August 2023 community update (PDF, 3.43 MB)
  New Dubbo Bridge project community update.

• August 2023 project notification (PDF, 730.81 KB)
  Continuation of land piling, commencement of river piling and permanent closure of River Street as part of the New Dubbo Bridge project.

• June 2023 project notification (PDF, 1007.8 KB)
  Changed traffic conditions at two locations in Dubbo as part of the New Dubbo Bridge project.

• May 2023 project notification (PDF, 372.82 KB)
  Changed traffic conditions at the Mitchell Highway and Thompson Street intersection from Monday 29 May.

• May 2023 project notification (PDF, 445.81 KB)
  Wiradjuri Park will be temporarily closed as construction commences.
• April 2023 project notification (PDF, 236.05 KB)
  Temporary traffic changes will be in place as piling work commences.
• March 2023 project notification (PDF, 332.89 KB)
  Major work including permanent piling starts on the New Dubbo Bridge project from early April 2023.
• January 2023 project notifcation
  Closure of Brisbane Street between Myall Street and River Street from 9 January 2023.
• December 2022 project notification (PDF, 327.14 KB)
  New Dubbo Bridge start of preparation work notification
• November 2022 project notification
  Preparation work to commence on the New Dubbo Bridge project from Thursday 1 December 2022.
• September 2022 community update

  New Dubbo Bridge project community update.

• August 2022 project notifcation

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

• August 2022 project notification
  Early works to begin on the New Dubbo Bridge project Monday 1 August.

• February 2022 community update

  Building a better Dubbo project community update.

• 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 project notification

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

• July 2021 community update
  New Dubbo Bridge project community update.

• 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 project update.

• 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.

• 16 August 2023
  Monster logistical challenge unfolds for New Dubbo Bridge
• 11 August 2023
  Changing face of Dubbo: What’s ahead for the new bridge?
• 8 August 2023
  Local school children invited to 'Name the Crane' and be part of the New Dubbo Bridge project
• 1 March 2023
  Construction begins on the 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.