The $107 million Brooking Channel Bridge in Western Australia’s Kimberley Region will officially open to traffic on Wednesday, November 13.
The new bridge is a stronger, dual-lane structure that has replaced the existing, ageing, single-land bridge.
The new 127-metre structure is now capable of supporting large vehicles including road trains and heavy goods vehicles and allows travel in both directions simultaneously. New footpaths also enhance road safety for pedestrians in the area.
WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti says the new bridge will help improve supply chain resilience in the Kimberley.
“After the catastrophic floods in late 2022 and early 2023, replacing the ageing Brooking Channel Bridge was identified as a key project, and its delivery will provide greater certainty during emergency events,” Saffioti says.
“The resilience of our supply chains, particularly in the Kimberley, is of the utmost importance to our government.
“Completion of the new Brooking Channel Bridge in just nine months is an outstanding achievement, providing certainty to freight operators before the onset of wet season.”
The completed project is the first to be delivered under the Western Australian government’s Kimberley Resilience Project.
The Fitzroy Bridge Alliance, comprising of Georgiou, BMD and BG&E – alongside Main Roads WA – delivered the program ahead of the oncoming wet season.
State Member for Kimberley Divina D’Anna says the completed bridge, alongside the New Fitzroy River Bridge, will deliver tangible improvements for freight movement throughout the region.
“The flood events of late 2022 and early 2023 were absolutely devastating, but out of that devastation has been an incredible pipeline of employment and training opportunities for people in the Fitzroy Valley,” D’Anna says.
“This project has not only delivered a significant improvement in the resilience of the Great Northern Highway, but it’s also ensured we continue to capitalise on the benefits delivered on the New Fitzroy River Bridge.”
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