Towong Bridge

Transport for NSW’s construction of the new Towong Bridge over the Murray River started on 2 June 2022 and is progressing towards completion in mid-2023.

The $10 million project involves the removal of the old crossing (Stage 1), which took place in April/May 2022, and replacing it with a safer, smoother bridge for the local cross-border community.

The project is progressing after some early challenges around cold, wet weather and high river levels. The new bridge is on track to be completed by mid-2023.

A temporary construction platform was put in place early in the project to allow a large 80-ton crane to operate across the river.

As of late November, there has been 12 piles placed and these have been topped off by concrete headstocks.

The aim by Christmas is to have the fourth headstock completed and ready for the pre-stressed girders to be placed in January and February. This is a significant milestone in the project as the bridge will start to take shape.

Another important milestone before Christmas 2022 is the completion of a retaining wall to reinstate the river bank which has been scoured and slipped due to many years of flooding.

This will allow the construction of the abutment on the Victorian side.

Towong Road (NSW) and Towong Hill Road (Victoria) are closed for the duration of the construction. There is access for emergency vehicles.

Detours to cross the Murray River are in place via Bringenbrong Bridge to the south or Tintaldra Bridge to the north. This will add about 20 minutes to journeys.

Contact us: call Peter Dawson, Authorised Delegate, on 1300 679 842 or email murrayrivercrossing@transport.nsw.gov.au with questions and comments regarding the construction.

Construction of the new Towong Bridge over the Murray River started on 2 June when Transport for NSW contractor Nelmac Pty Ltd took possession of the site to begin Stage 2 of the project.

The $10 million project involves removal of the old crossing (Stage 1), which took place in April/May, and replacing it with a safer, smoother bridge for the local cross-border community.

Work hours are 7am-6pm weekdays and 8am-1pm on Saturdays (as required).

There will be no access through the site during construction of the new bridge, which is expected to be completed in mid-2023, weather permitting.

Towong Road (NSW) and Towong Hill Road (Victoria) are closed for the duration of the construction. There will be access for emergency vehicles in the event this is required.

Detours to cross the Murray River are in place via Bringenbrong Bridge to the south or Tintaldra Bridge to the north. This will add about 20 minutes to journeys.

Due to the potential to affect safe navigation and to facilitate the demolition and construction works, an exclusion zone has been established on the full width of the Murray River extending 100m either side (upstream and downstream) of the Towong Bridge at Towong, from Friday 1 April 2022 until further notice.

Transport thanks the community for your patience and understanding during this important project.

Contact us: call Madhav Valsangikar, Project/Contract Manager, on 1300 679 842 or email madhav.valsangikar@transport.nsw.gov.au with questions and comments regarding the construction.

Transport understands Towong Bridge has played an important part in developing the Towong region and linking Australia’s two most economically important states since its construction in 1938.

However, the bridge has now reached the end of its life span and needs to be removed for the continued safety and future prosperity of the community.

As part of the removal process, we are investigating ways to celebrate the historical significance of the crossing.

Project team members will hold an information session in March to discuss heritage options with the community.

Information session

• When: Tuesday 15 March 2022
• Where: NSW campground next to the bridge
• Time: Drop in anytime between 10am and 12 noon.
• More information: Ben Rawson, Senior Manager Bridge Planning South on 0409 316 065 or email murrayrivercrossing@transport.nsw.gov.au.

Transport for NSW has released the Towong Bridge Review of Environmental Factors (REF) submissions report (PDF, 544Kb).

We called for community feedback for the proposed replacement bridge from Monday 30 August to Friday 24 September 2021.

Our response to feedback submitted can now be read in the submissions report (PDF, 544Kb).

Planning is continuing on the project, and work is expected to start in early 2022 and will take 18 months to complete, weather permitting. We’ll continue to keep the community informed as the project progresses.

Towong Bridge is a timber beam bridge, built in 1938 and crossing the Murray River between Bringenbrong, in NSW, and Towong, in Victoria.

In 2016, a temporary support solution was installed to extend the life of the current bridge to resist regular flooding events that are common on the upper Murray River. These repairs extended the bridge’s life but it now needs to be replaced.

A project is currently in planning to remove the current bridge and replace it with a new, 11-metre wide, 58-metre long concrete bridge, incorporating two traffic lanes and a pedestrian walkway.

Pictured 3D view of the proposed Towong Bridge replacement.

The project will be carried out in two stages: removal of the existing timber bridge and construction of the new bridge.

Work is expected to start in 2022 and will take about 18 months to complete, weather permitting.

The project’s objectives include:

• providing a modern structure with minimal maintenance for the next 25 years
• ensuring a safe crossing for all users by addressing bridge safety concerns
• ensuring the bridge is capable of withstanding current and future traffic loads.

Transport for NSW takes its responsibility to the environment and heritage seriously.

To ensure we are recognising and minimising all impacts to the environment from this proposed project, Transport for NSW has created a Review of Environmental Factors (REF) report.

An REF is an environmental assessment used to determine all risks and possible mitigation measures on proposed projects. If risks cannot be appropriately managed, the proposal will not proceed.

The REF was on display for community feedback from Monday 30 August to Friday 24 September 2021.

The feedback period is now closed. Thank you to everyone who submitted feedback.

A submissions report in response to the community’s comments is now in planning and is expected to be available via this website in coming months.

To read the REF in full see the Project Documents section on this page.

We are currently reviewing community feedback and producing a submissions report, responding to the community’s comments. We will advise the community when this is available.

We are committed to working with the community, Snowy Valleys Council, Towong Shire Council, and key stakeholders to ensure they are informed and involved in every step of the project.

• August 2021 project notification
  Have your say on the Towong Bridge Review of Environmental Factors report by Friday 24 September.

• Review of Environmental Factors (REF) submissions report
• August 2021 Review of Environmental Factors
  Towong Bridge replacement.

• August 2021 frequently asked questions
  Towong Bridge replacement.

• 25 May 2022
  Work to begin on the new Toowong Bridge
• 11 April 2022
  One step closer to a safer Towong Bridge as removal of old structure begins
• 1 March 2022
  Community to have their say on ways to memorialise Old Towong Bridge
• 8 December 2021
  Work to start early next year on new Toowong Bridge
• 31 August 2021
  Help shape plans for new Towong Bridge