Works to commence on $220m New Dubbo Bridge project in NSW

The $220 million New Dubbo Bridge project in New South Wales has reached a new milestone with the award of a construction contract for early works. 

Following a competitive tender process, Abergeldie Contractors has been appointed to undertake the first of three early works package that will support the construction of the new bridge. The company’s scope of works will include building the new Brisbane and Darling streets intersection. 

Early works on the New Dubbo Bridge project will involve realigning and reconstructing the northern end of Darling Street and moving it to intersect with Brisbane Street instead of River Street. 

The next early works package for test piling in the flood plain is due to be awarded soon and works to also begin this year. 

“Good infrastructure investment creates jobs, builds opportunity and unlocks economic growth and productivity, which is exactly what this project will help achieve in Dubbo. 

“This project will also make a major difference to the day-to-day lives of commuters, by easing congestion and ensuring reliable access through Dubbo during flood events,” Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said. 

The New Dubbo Bridge project forms part of the $1.7 billion major upgrade to the Newell Highway that will help deliver a safer, stronger regional NSW. 

“Abergeldie has a proud history of delivering infrastructure projects and is expected to do an exceptional job for Transport for NSW in delivering this early work package. 

“We are investing in our local communities, building safer and more efficient journeys on our network and securing a brighter future for regional NSW,” NSW Regional Transport and Roads Minister Sam Farraway said. 

Weather permitting, major works on the Brisbane and Darling streets intersection is expected to commence in the coming months and be completed and open to traffic by early 2023. 

“Once completed, it will be a key link in the western NSW road network, keeping commuters and freight moving efficiently on the Newell Highway. 

“The new intersection is an important piece of the New Dubbo Bridge project as it will allow for easier access to the main bridge for the construction contractor to commence work when the major bridge and road contract is awarded,” NSW Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders said. 

In addition to a better road network, the project is also anticipated to deliver a boost to the region’s economy through the creation of jobs during the early stages as well as the construction phase. The overall project is estimated to generate 290 direct and 1,200 indirect jobs during its construction alone. 

The main bridge and road construction contract is currently out for tender and it is expected to be awarded in late 2022. 

The New Dubbo Bridge project will deliver a new 660-metre bridge connecting the western side of the Macquarie River to River Street, traversing over the flood plain west of the river. The project will also include: 

• New and upgraded intersections at Thompson Street, Whylandra Steet, and the Newell Highway 
• Realigning the Newell Highway with the new separated lanes north of Whylandra Street 
• Upgrading the intersection at Bourke Street and River Street 

The Newell Highway Upgrade – Dubbo Bridge project is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales Governments on an 80:20 basis. 

Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; Transport for NSW; The Hon Mark Coulton MP – Federal Member for Parkes