The delivery of the $220.2 million New Dubbo Bridge in New South Wales has reached a new milestone with the appointment of Abergeldie Complex Infrastructure as contractor.
Abergeldie will be undertaking the construction of the new Wambuul-Macquarie River crossing as well as the floodplain and adjoining road.
In August of this year, early works on the project commenced with the Brisbane Street and Darling Street intersection.
“As we’ve seen in the recent flood events, roads and bridges are a vulnerable point which can leave communities cut off and put drivers at risk. The New Dubbo Bridge will transform the way residents and freight operators travel in and through Dubbo and western NSW,” Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said.
The project team is currently working on finalising the detailed design for the beautification of Wiradjuri Park. Community consultation for this project will get underway this year and the park is required to be closed during the construction period.
Major construction on the New Dubbo Bridge project is due to commence in early 2023, with the new crossing opening in late 2026.
“Twenty per cent of the qualified tradesperson working on this project must also be apprentices, providing those who are just starting out their career a chance to work on a legacy project that will change the shape of Dubbo,” NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said.
Built as part of the broader Newell Highway Upgrade, the New Dubbo Bridge will deliver a 660-metre crossing that will connect the western side of the Macquarie River to River Street.
The project will also include:
Once completed, the New Dubbo Bridge will help improve traffic efficiency, reduce congestion for all road users and provide better access across the Macquarie River floodplain during flood events.
“Recent sever weather events have once again highlighted the need for a second high-level crossing of the Wambuul-Macquarie River at Dubbo, to keep our city open in times of flood.
“The New Dubbo Bridge project will leave a lasting legacy not only in terms of travel in and through Dubbo, but also in terms of the new skills and experiences it will provide for the local workforce,” Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said.
The New Dubbo Bridge is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales Governments and it is anticipated to support approximately 290 direct and up to 1,200 indirect jobs during its construction.
Source: Transport for NSW; Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; Infrastructure Magazine