The replacement of the Warroo Bridge over the Lachlan River in New South Wales is moving forward as procurement for a builder commences.
Suitably qualified contractors who can lead the construction of the new bridge are now being called to tender for the project.
Project funding has been secured through the State Government’s $44.5 billion regional transport and roads budget.
“The NSW Labor Government’s 2024-25 Budget delivers a record $44.5 billion investment in regional transport and roads, with Western NSW receiving significant investments to deliver infrastructure upgrades like the Warroo Bridge replacement project.
“Warroo Bridge is the only major crossing of the Lachlan River between Forbes and Condobolin that links Lachlan Valley Way and Henry Parkes Way, and is used by local traffic, tourists and vital regional freight operators.
“Thanks to strong advocacy from representatives like Orange MP Phil Donato and the government’s Duty MLC Stephen Lawrence, projects like the Warroo Bridge replacement project are progressing and the entire Central West region will benefit,” Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said.
A new concrete bridge structure is going to be built to replace the ageing timber truss Warroo Bridge to improve road safety, efficiency and reliability for farmers, freight operators and all other road users.
The existing bridge is located on Warroo Bridge Road, about 46 kilometres west of Forbes and 55 kilometres south-east of Condobolin. It was built in 1909 and is now in poor condition, making it unsuitable for use by modern agricultural equipment or heavy vehicles with Higher Mass Limit (HML) loads.
Tenders to build the new bridge will close on 26 August 2024.
Major construction on the new bridge is anticipated to commence by mid-2025, following the selection of a successful tenderer and the contract is awarded.
Transport for NSW will carry out preliminary earthworks later this year, with works to include building new embankments on the approaches to the river crossing to support the future construction of the new bridge.
The existing Warroo Bridge will continue to be operational throughout construction and until the new river crossing is completed and opened to traffic.
“When the existing bridge is closed for maintenance, motorists are faced with a 93-kilometre detour to travel from one side of the river to the other, but a new bridge will put an end to that frustrating inconvenience.
“Once completed, the new Warroo Bridge will deliver a smoother rode for all road users, improved safety through wider lanes and better road approaches, increased load capacity for heavy vehicles, improved access for wide vehicles, and reduced ongoing maintenance costs and closures,” Member for Orange Phil Donato said.
“It’s great to see the Warroo Bridge replacement project includes the construction of a new concrete bridge a few metres upstream from the existing bridge, construction of new approach roads either side of the bridge and removal of the old bridge once the new bridge is operational.
“The NSW Labor Government is building better communities right across regional NSW and the Warroo Bridge replacement project is all part of our plan to build a better NSW,” Labor’s spokesperson for Orange Stephen Lawrence MLC said.
Source: NSW Government – Media Releases; Transport for NSW