Newell Highway Upgrade - New Dubbo Bridge project

From Thursdsay 18 April, we will be removing trees from Thompson Street, near the intersection of Whylandra Street and opposite Chifley Drive. The trees are being removed to facilitate new pavement construction and the installation of new storm water pipes.

Read more in our April 2024 notification letter (PDF, 249.91 KB).

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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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

• April 2024 community update (PDF, 249.91 KB)
  Tree removal at Thompson Street in Dubbo.
• 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.

• February 2022 – Addendum Review of Environmental Factors (PDF, 4.77 MB)
  New Dubbo Bridge.
• April 2024 – Addendum Review of Environmental Factors – River Street West Stage 1 Intersection of Newell Highway and River Street West (PDF, 9.19 MB)
  New Dubbo Bridge.

• May 2017 preferred option report

  New Dubbo Bridge.

• May 2016 options report

  New Dubbo Bridge.