Construction of new bridge over Parkes Bypass now underway

New South Wales’ $187.2 million Parkes Bypass project has reached a major milestone as piling works commence on the new Victoria Street bridge. 

The Victoria Street bridge is just one of two new bridges being built as part of the Newell Highway Upgrade – Parkes Bypass project. 

The beginning of piling works is a key step in the delivery of the new Victoria Street bridge. Once piling is completed, major construction on the two abutments that will support the bridge will commence. 

“The Parkes Bypass is a transformative project that will change the way locals, tourists and particularly freight operators move around and through Parkes. 

“The Victoria Street bridge is one of the key elements of the bypass project and it’s exciting to see the start of this piling work. 

“This work will consist of six piles per abutment and the aim is to drill, install the reinforcement and concrete two piles each day,” Transport for NSW Acting Regional Director West Damien Pfeiffer said. 

Piling is expected to take six days to complete, weather permitting. Work hours will be 7am to 6pm during weekdays and 8am to 6pm on weekends. 

To minimise noise and impact on residents during piling, works will be done in stages at different locations and all machinery will be turned off when not in use. 

In addition, crews will use water carts to suppress dust and additional air monitors will be established around the worksite to ensure dust and asbestos fibres will not pass the site boundary. 

All work will be carried out in full accordance with the Asbestos Management Plan controls and Environment Protection Authority requirements. These will be overseen by a Class A asbestos supervisor and licensed asbestos assessor. 

The new Victoria Street bridge will have a span of 46 metres and is going to be comprised of six concrete girders, 146 tonnes of steel reinforcement and 500 cubic metres of concrete. The construction of the new bridge is expected to take about a year to complete. 

The Parkes Bypass is being built as part of the record $1.7 billion investment by the Australian and New South Wales Governments that will deliver improvements to safety, freight productivity and travel times on the Newell Highway between the Victorian and Queensland borders. 

The Parkes Bypass will be 10.5 kilometres long and its key features include: 

• A two-lane road (one lane in each direction) with five key intersections, including: 
  • Two T-intersections, north and south between the existing Newell Highway and the Bypass 
  • A split T-intersection at London Road 
  • A four-way roundabout at Condobolin Road 
  • A T-intersection with Bogan Road 
• Two bridges: 
  • A bridge over two rail lines and Hartigan Avenue 
  • A bridge over the Bypass on Victoria Street 
• An extension of Hartigan Avenue (Henry Parkes Way) with intersection with Brolgan Road, Billy Mac Place and Condobolin Road 
• Realignment, reconfiguration and changes to local roads, including: 
  • Shifting part of Moulden Street to the west 
  • Maguire Road and Nock Road converted to cul-de-sacs 
  • New connection between Brolgan Road and Hartigan Avenue 
  • Connection between Thomas Street and Mitchell Street via the Reedsdale Road extension 
• A new shared path for pedestrians and cyclists which will connect Brolgan Road, Condobolin Road and Victoria Street 

Source: Transport for NSW (1, 2)