The NSW government has announced the opening of a revamped freight route bridge south of Dubbo
The NSW government says the new $4.37 million Terrabella Bridge south of Dubbo is officially opened, providing a safer, stronger bridge that will boost freight and rural productivity.
The 101-year-old single lane wooden bridge has been replaced with a dual lane, high-level concrete bridge, removing load limits and helping make the Little River crossing safer and more efficient for freight and the community.
The old timber bridge will be demolished with materials to be recycled for further commercial use and other timber bridge maintenance.
The Terrabella Bridge involved all three levels of government with $2,716,000 from the NSW government’s Fixing Country Roads and $454,000 from its Fixing Country Bridges programs, $700,000 from the federal government’s Bridges Renewal program and $500,000 from Dubbo Regional Council.
Federal regional development minister Kristy McBain says the project is a great example of what the federal government’s Bridges Renewal investment is all about – upgrading and replacing bridges to connect communities and reduce freight costs for businesses.
“Good infrastructure investment creates jobs, builds opportunity and unlocks economic growth and productivity,” McBain says.
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“Resilient and reliable transport is the backbone of the nation, and this is a fantastic example of our investment benefitting the Dubbo and broader central west region.”
NSW regional transport and roads minister Sam Farraway says the Fixing Country Bridges program is helping councils to replace hundreds of ageing timber bridges like the Terrabella Bridge, with wider, stronger, more resilient structures that can carry higher load limits.
“The NSW government is securing a brighter future for NSW through our record investment of $19.4 billion into regional roads and transport infrastructure,” Farraway says.
“These new bridges are collectively shaving thousands of kilometres off school bus trips and truck journeys to saleyards, ports and markets as vehicles do not have to travel the long way round to cross a river or stream.
“Every 100 kilometres out of a truck driver’s way costs more than $300. Helping councils to build the infrastructure that reduces travel for industry will ultimately reduce the costs for families at the register.
“This project was also a fantastic jobs boost with more than 70 workers from Dubbo, Wellington and surrounding contributing to its delivery.”