A new bridge over the Shoalhaven River in New South Wales is one step closer to beginning construction with the contract to design and build the $342 million Nowra Bridge project awarded to Fulton Hogan.
This multi-million dollar project will help improve traffic flow as well as bust congestion at this major section of the Princes Highway.
“We are keeping communities connected and delivering faster and more reliable journeys for those travelling the South Coast.
“The new Nowra Bridge will build upon road upgrades currently under way in the region and will better cater for heavy and over-height vehicles,” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said.
The project will include:
- A new northbound four lane bridge
- Reconfiguration of the existing concrete bridge to carry southbound traffic
- New Pleasant Way T-intersection
- Keeping the old southbound bridge for pedestrians and cyclists
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said that the new bridge will help improve the flow of traffic on the Princes Highway as well as provide faster and more reliable journeys in the regions of Nowra and Bomaderry.
“We are building the infrastructure needed to support growing areas such as Nowra, which is why, since 2011, the Commonwealth and NSW governments have invested more than $2.5 billion to upgrade the Princes Highway to create safer and more efficient journeys along the south coast of NSW.
“About 50,000 motorists already cross the Shoalhaven River every day and with traffic only set to grow, this project will ensure safer and more reliable journeys now and for the future,” Mr Toole said.
The new Nowra Bridge will also enable emergency services and community facilities more accessible for locals.
“The recent bushfires have shown the importance of access up and down the Princes Highway and the new bridge will further support access down the Shoalhaven and the South Coast,” Senator for NSW Jim Molan said.
According to Member for South Coast Shelley Hancock, the new bridge will help change how motorists move in and around the region.
“As part of the project, we will upgrade the intersections at Illaroo Road, Bolong Road and Bridge Road and will build a new local road linking Lyrebird Drive with the Princes Highway south of the current Pleasant Way intersection.
“During early planning it became clear a new bridge could address key issues in the area including maintenance difficulties with the old bridge,” Ms Hancock said.
This project will also see upgrades to the Princes Highway continue down the coast.
“Be it the Berry bypass of the Berry to Bomaderry upgrade of the Albion Park Rail bypass - when we make a promise to our community, we always get it done,” Member for Kiama Gareth Ward said.
Early works on the project will commence in the coming week, with works to include utility relocation and demolition of acquired properties.
Major construction on the Nowra Bridge project will begin later this year and is due to be completed by mid-2024, weather permitting.
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Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development; Transport for NSW (1, 2); South Coast Register; Illawarra Mercury
