Wallaga Lake Bridge essential maintenance work

Major maintenance work on Wallaga Lake Bridge is complete. Essential repairs to the local icon which has been operating since the 1890s will ensure the bridge remains safe and operational for the local community and travelling public well into the future.

Latest news

July 2025 – Work completed

Over the past six weeks, the remaining bridge piles have been wrapped in carbon fibre composite material and filled with grout, marking the end of this essential maintenance project.

The temporary six-tonne load limit in place during the works has now been lifted, and the bridge has returned to its original 22.5-tonne load limit.

It has been a huge effort to restore this locally significant bridge.

View a timelapse video of the major work completed in 2024:

Thank you for your patience while this important work was carried out.

May 2025 – Work on remaining piles set to start

Essential maintenance work will resume on the Wallaga Lake Bridge from Monday 19 May, focusing on restoring the remaining bridge piles.
During essential maintenance work last year, 52 of the 69 bridge piles were restored by being wrapped in a carbon fibre composite material filled with grout. The remaining piles now require the same treatment.

Work completed in the closures last year to restore the bridge means this time around we can implement a temporary bracing system that will allow the bridge to remain open while the remaining piles are wrapped.

Traffic access across the bridge will be maintained for vehicles up to six tonnes to minimise impacts to community and visitor movements while work is carried out. There will be special provisions to allow access for school buses in the mornings and afternoons and emergency vehicles under a reduced speed limit and escort.

From Monday 26 May, vehicles over six tonnes will be detoured via Cobargo Bermagui Road and the Princes Highway for the duration of the work. For the safety of workers and the community, and due to the temporary bracing in place, a reduced speed limit of 20 km/h will be in place.

Work will be carried out between 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, and 8am to 1pm on Saturdays. We do not anticipate any out of hours work will be required, however the community will be updated should this change.

Work is expected to take around 10 weeks to complete, weather permitting.

The community feedback report from last year’s ‘Tell us how we did’ survey, is now available. View the Wallaga Lake Bridge essential maintenance Community Feedback Summary Report May 2025 (PDF, 2.4 MB) to find out what we heard.

March 2025 – Remaining pile work

Major work on the bridge was completed last year, but the remaining pile work scheduled for last September was delayed due to weather and specialised contractor availability. Understanding the importance of the bridge being fully operational during peak holiday season, we decided to reopen the bridge as originally planned and defer the remaining work until 2025.

A tender for the remaining pile remediation work has been issued and the process will take around 10 weeks before contracts are expected to be awarded. After selecting a contractor, we will establish the most effective timeline and approach that will ensure the bridge remains open throughout the work.
The community will be kept informed of any impacts in advance of work starting.

View a time lapse video of the major work completed in 2024:

July 2024 – Community feedback invited as bridge repairs move into the final stage

Major work on the bridge is now complete and the bridge will reopen to traffic on Monday 29 July as repairs move into the final stage.

Traffic lights and a reduced speed limit will be in place for the safety of the community and our workers.

The final stage of work includes replacing road pavement, water and sewer services, installing handrails, final work beneath the bridge and sealing the bridge deck.

Finishing work will also include work to the piles that was unable to be completed during the full closure periods, and is expected to be finished by late September.

The project site will be demobilised considerably during this time and parking will be reinstated at Payne’s Island.

We thank the community for their support and patience while we carried out this important work.

Tell us how we did

We are seeking feedback from the community on your experience with us during this project. In particular, our communications, services, and interactions.

Your feedback is valuable to us and will help guide planning for future projects.

Complete the short online survey.

July 2024 – Second bridge closure

Essential maintenance work on Wallaga Lake Bridge has been progressing as planned.

From 7am on Monday 8 July, the bridge will be closed day and night for three weeks, weather permitting. During this stage, large elements of the bridge will be removed and replaced with new prefabricated timber. This includes replacing the girders, headstocks, cross beams, corbels, railings, and kerb.

While the bridge is closed motorists will be detoured via Cobargo Bermagui Road and the Princes Highway. This alternate route will add between 15 and 40 minutes to journey times.

Free temporary bus service

While the bridge is closed to vehicles, a free temporary bus service will be in place to help locals make their way around.

Buses will run from 7am through till 6pm daily, with support services for passengers in wheelchairs. The service will include fixed bus stops and, where it can be safely accommodated, a hail and ride option.

There will be three bus routes connecting Narooma,Central Tilba, Akolele, Cobargo, Bermagui and Wallaga Lake Heights.

E2: Bermagui to Wallaga Lake Heights, and return
E3: Akolele to Narooma, and return
E4: Akolele to Bermagui, and return

Passengers requiring wheelchair or mobility assistance can arrange pick-up from one of the designated bus stop locations by making a booking the day before travelling.

Information regarding bus routes, bus stop locations and the timetable can be found here (PDF, 257.81 KB).

For any enquiries about the service or to make a booking for mobility assistance please contact the bus operator, Bega Valley Coaches:

Weekdays, 9am – 5pm: 02 6492 5188
Weekends, 9am – 4pm: 0409 449 856

Travelling to school during the closure

School buses will operate on the same adjusted timetable as they did during the first closure. Schools will share details regarding the adjusted timetable prior to the closure.

Due to the July school holidays, children travelling to school will only be impacted for one week. The adjusted timetable will be in place from Monday 22 July to Friday 26 July.

An extra bus will be put on to serve Akolele and the Wallaga Lake Aboriginal community, aiming to minimise the travel time for children.

Information outlining the adjusted school bus timetable is also available here (PDF, 143.9 KB).

Pedestrian access

A temporary walkway has been installed to allow pedestrian access across the lake during the second closure period.

Access will be restricted to foot traffic only as the walkway will be narrow. Pedestrians can carry a bicycle, folded pram or stroller across the bridge provided it can be done safely. For safety reasons, wheelchair access will not be permitted.

Temporary lighting will be installed to help pedestrians safely cross the bridge at night.

Find out more

View the latest project update (PDF, 2.21 MB) to find out more information about the upcoming closure, how the community will be supported and other service changes.

May 2024 – Bridge to temporarily reopen as work continues

The project team has been working hard driving new piles into the bridge abutments, reinforcing piles with a new jacket strengthening system and installing scour protection at the bridge abutments.

Beginning Monday 27 May, the bridge will reopen to traffic for six weeks. Traffic lights and a reduced speed limit of 40 km/h will be in place for the safety of the community and our workers.

Over the next six weeks, the team will be busy taking delivery of new timber, managing microbats and installing pontoon scaffolding in preparation for the second bridge closure period.

The free temporary bus service will not be operating while the bridge is open. The service will return for the second bridge closure period which is expected to start Monday 8 July, weather permitting.

April 2024 – First bridge closure and free community bus service

As part of the essential maintenance work, preparations for the first closure have been under way, along with the establishment of a site compound.

Beginning Monday 29 April, the bridge will be closed day and night for four weeks, weather permitting. During this time the project team will conduct maintenance activities on the piles and abutments.

While the bridge is closed motorists will be detoured via Cobargo Bermagui Road and the Princes Highway. This alternate route will add between 15 to 40 minutes to journey times.

Free temporary bus service

While the bridge is closed to vehicles, a free temporary bus service will be in place to help locals make their way around.

Buses will run from 7am through till 6pm daily, with support services for passengers in wheelchairs. The service will include fixed bus stops and, where it can be safely accommodated, a hail and ride option.

There will be three bus routes connecting Narooma,Central Tilba, Akolele, Cobargo, Bermagui and Wallaga Lake Heights.

E2: Bermagui to Wallaga Lake Heights, and return
E3: Akolele to Narooma, and return
E4: Akolele to Bermagui, and return

Passengers requiring wheelchair or mobility assistance can arrange pick-up from one of the designated bus stop locations by making a booking the day before travelling.

Information regarding bus routes, bus stop locations and the timetable can be found here (PDF, 272.26 KB).

For any enquiries about the service or to make a booking for mobility assistance please contact the bus operator, Bega Valley Coaches:

Weekdays, 9am – 5pm: 02 6492 5188
Weekends, 9am – 4pm: 0409 449 856

Travelling to school during the closure

School buses will operate on an adjusted timetable during the two bridge closure periods. Schools will share details regarding the adjusted timetable prior to the first bridge closure period from Monday 29 April. Information outlining the adjusted school bus timetable is also available here (PDF, 187.41 KB).

An extra bus will be put on to serve Akolele and the Wallaga Lake Aboriginal community, aiming to minimise the travel time for children.

Pedestrian access

A designated walkway will be available for pedestrians during both closure periods.

Access will be restricted to foot traffic only as the walkway will be narrow and at times involve stairs. For the safety reasons, bicycles, prams and wheelchairs will not be permitted to use the pedestrian walkway during this time.

Temporary lighting will be installed to help pedestrians safely cross the bridge at night.

Find out more

View the latest project update (PDF, 1.43 MB) to find out more information about the upcoming closure, how the community will be supported and other service changes.

March 2024 – Work begins on Wallaga Lake Bridge

Work on Wallaga Lake Bridge begins today, Monday 4 March. The bridge will remain open to traffic as early work begins, including setting up the site compound and receiving deliveries. Motorists may experience a five-minute delay at times.

This early work will prepare the site for the first closure beginning Monday 29 April for up to four weeks, weather permitting.

Based on community feedback, we're putting together a plan of targeted support strategies aimed at reducing the impacts felt by the community from the upcoming Wallaga Lake Bridge closures.

We're working with local bus operators to develop a timetable of free shuttle buses to assist the community during the two closure periods.

More information about the bus timetable and routes, and other support strategies, will be released in the weeks prior to the first closure.

February 2024 – Review of Environmental Factors

The Review of Environmental Factors (REF) has been prepared for the Wallaga Lake Bridge essential maintenance work.

The REF describes the proposed work and documents the likely impacts of the proposal on the environment and details the mitigation and management measures to be implemented.

View the Review of Environmental Factors (PDF, 72.55 MB) to find out more.

November 2023 – Update on project timing

Transport for NSW has developed a new timeline for maintenance work on Wallaga Lake Bridge.

Following community consultation, an updated work methodology and schedule has been developed that minimises the duration of the bridge closure and implements strategies to support the community while the necessary closures are in place.

View the latest project update (PDF, 1.06 MB) to find out more.

A community drop-in session will be held at Bermagui Country Club on Monday 4 December 2023. The team will be available from 12pm to 3pm and 6pm to 8pm to answer any questions.

Project information

Background

Wallaga Lake Bridge is an important piece of local infrastructure dating back to the early 1890s. It is located on Djiringanj land of the Yuin Nation and falls under the LGAs of Bega Valley and Eurobodalla.

Wallaga Lake is of significance to the Yuin people, being home to the black duck, a totem called the Umbarra. The Yuin people regularly fish the lake for flathead, bream and mullet. The lake is also a place surrounded by burials and is regularly used for gatherings and cultural business.

The bridge forms a connection between two arterial roads, Wallaga Lake Road and Bermagui Road. It also connects residents of Wallaga Lake and Bermagui to Narooma and the small community of Akolele.

Transport for NSW identified the need for essential repair and maintenance work on Wallaga Lake Bridge. While the crossing was safe, Transport carried out work to repair the structure to ensure its continued use into the future. Work included replacing and strengthening the girders and piles, repairing the bridge deck and upgrading abutments.

Community information

Transport for NSW carried out significant consultation to gather local feedback about aspects of the work that impacted the community. Community feedback was used to plan the best timing and approach to carry out the work.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Wallaga Lake Bridge essential maintenance work?

Routine inspections of Wallaga Lake Bridge indicated deterioration of the timber structure. Essential maintenance work on the bridge was required to improve its serviceability and durability, while ensuring the bridge remains safe for the local community and the travelling public into the future.

Engineers investigated the best strategies for managing and maintaining the bridge, with the overall goal of enhancing safety. Work on the bridge included replacing and strengthening the girders and piles, repairing the bridge deck and upgrading abutments.

Major work on the bridge was completed last year. The remaining pile remediation work, which was delayed due to weather and contractor availability, has now also been completed, bringing the project to a close.

How was the community involved in the development of the project?

Community consultation was carried out from Monday 29 May 2023 for upcoming essential maintenance work on Wallaga Lake Bridge. Transport invited feedback from the community over a four- week period. Further meetings with key community and business groups were carried out in July 2023, including a community forum organised by the Member for Bega, Dr Michael Holland MP.

With the information gathered in the survey and further consultation activities, we gained an understanding of the views and concerns of the community. We have collated a summary (PDF, 12.07 MB) of what we heard.

What maintenance work has been carried out?

Major work to repair the structure is now complete. Work included replacing and strengthening girders, piles, pier bracing, headstocks, cross beams, corbels, railings and kerb, replacing road pavement, water and sewer services, and installing handrail.

The project also included repairing the bridge deck and work to stabilise the abutments and prevent scouring. This involved the installation of new H piles, gravel boards and replacing backfill material and rock.

Aesthetically the bridge has not changed. The original look of the bridge has been maintained by replacing elements with like-for-like.

Why did the bridge need to be closed during maintenance work last year?

To ensure the safety of the community and our workers, and to complete the work efficiently, safely and to Transport quality standards, the bridge was required to be closed while the work to replace structural elements was carried out.

During this process, the bridge deck was removed to allow for the replacement of the corbels and girders. Divers were also working in the water under the bridge.

While this work was being carried out, vehicles could not be on the bridge as key structural elements were removed.

Why is the bridge not being replaced?

Built in 1894, the Wallaga Lake Bridge is a locally iconic piece of infrastructure. We understand that some members of the community are keen to see the bridge replaced with a new structure, however Transport has no plans to replace the bridge at this time.

Transport will continue to monitor the bridge to ensure it remains safe and trafficable and will continue to prioritise maintenance to ensure connectivity is maintained.