Rawsonville Bridge Replacement
Project overview
The NSW Government has committed to replacing Rawsonville Bridge with a new concrete bridge. The bridge is located over the Macquarie River on Rawsonville Bridge Road, about 21 kilometres west of Dubbo.
Latest news
April 2024 - Preliminary earthworks at Rawsonville Bridge, Rawsonville
Preliminary earthworks for the Rawsonville Bridge Replacement project will be carried out from Monday 8 April 2024 for up to 10 weeks, weather permitting.
The work will involve building approach embankments to support the future construction of the new bridge.
For more information, please view the April 2024 project update (PDF, 267.83 KB).
Subscribe to project updates
Email us at western.projects@transport.nsw.gov.au to be added to our eNewsletter subscription list.
Project information
Background
Rawsonville Bridge is a timber truss bridge which was built in 1916 and is in poor condition due to age. It is narrow and is not suitable for use by modern heavy vehicles with Higher Mass Limit (HML) loads.
Rawsonville Bridge is located on Rawsonville Bridge Road, about 21 kilometres west of Dubbo. The bridge is a major crossing over the Macquarie River linking the Mitchell Highway to the Dubbo-Burraway Road and the Newell Highway between the towns of Dubbo and Narromine. If the bridge is closed for maintenance, motorists are faced with a 45 kilometre detour to travel from one side of the bridge to the other.
Rawsonville Bridge was on the list of NSW timber truss bridges to be preserved, however when the conservation strategy was reviewed in 2019 the bridge was identified for removal as it could not be effectively upgraded to meet future road network requirements.
Benefits
- Longer lasting, stronger bridge with a smoother ride
- Improved road user safety through wider travel lanes and improved road approaches
- Increased load capacity for heavy vehicles
- Improved access for wide vehicles
- Reduced ongoing maintenance costs
Features
The Rawsonville Bridge Replacement project includes the construction of a new concrete bridge around five metres upstream from the existing bridge, construction of new approach roads either side of the bridge, and removal of the old bridge once the new bridge is operational.
Next steps
Following the completion of the preliminary earthworks, the next stage of the project is inviting tenders for the bridge construction. The tender process is expected to commence in late 2024.
We will continue to update the community as work on the project progresses.
Pier settlement due to failed foundations
Southern approach looking North
From bank looking South towards Pier 2 (timber pier behind concrete pier)
From bank in river looking to the West
Project documents
Some documents on this page may not comply with accessibility requirements (WCAG).
If you are having trouble accessing information in these documents, please contact us.
Project notifications
- April 2024 project update (PDF, 267.83 KB)
Rawsonville Bridge Replacement - November 2021 project update
Rawsonville Bridge Replacement. - November 2021 frequently asked questions
Rawsonville Bridge Replacement - August 2021 project update
Rawsonville Bridge Replacement.
Reports
- March 2022 Submissions Report
Rawsonville Bridge Replacement
Review of Environmental Factors
- October 2021 Review of Environmental Factors
Rawsonville Bridge Replacement
- Appendices A to D
Rawsonville Bridge Replacement Review of Environmental Factors.
- Appendices E to K
Rawsonville Bridge Replacement Review of Environmental Factors.
Contact us
For further information about this project, please contact:
Phone: 1800 167 499
Email:western.projects@transport.nsw.gov.au