Historic timber truss bridges to be conserved in NSW

Iconic NSW timber truss bridges will be conserved to ensure strength, safety and accessible for local communities into the future.

Transport for NSW Executive Director Regional and Outer Metropolitan Roy Wakelin-King said the bridges played an important role in the economic development of regional NSW.

“These bridges were ahead of their time when they were built, showcasing leading engineering practices, and connecting local communities to one another,” Mr. Wakelin-King said.

Transport for NSW worked closely with the heritage council of NSW to ensure the bridges remain protected and restored.

The conservation list of bridges developed in 2012 was reviewed, with eight bridges added to the list, while seven that did not meet the strategy objectives were removed.

“Conservation will ensure the retained bridges continue to provide safe access for all users, including pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, agricultural vehicles and freight,” Mr. Wakelin said.

Of more than 400 timber truss bridges built between 1860 and 1936, 48 remain, with 39 managed by Transport for NSW.

All bridges for retention will be upgraded and strengthened to support the road network without compromising their state heritage values.

Those bridges removed from the list will be progressively replaced and removed with appropriate heritage interpretation signage to be installed at these locations to provide a historical record.

Additional timber truss bridges to be included under the conservation strategy:

Abercrombie bridge which crosses the Abercrombie River on Goulburn Road, south of Bathurst
Beckers bridge which crosses Webbers Creek at Dunns Crossing at Mount Thorley in Gresford
Bulga bridge which crosses Wollombi Brook on Putty Road at Singleton
Cooreei bridge which crosses the Williams River on Stroud Hill Road at Dungog
Crankies bridge which crosses the Coolumbooka River on Cathcart Road at Crankies Plains
Gillies bridge which crosses Black Creek on Wilderness Road near Rothbury
Junction bridge on Rouchel Road near Scone
Tooleybuc bridge which crosses the Murray River on Tooleybuc Road at Tooleybuc.

Timber truss bridges to be removed from the conservation strategy and removed from service:

Rawsonville bridge across the Macquarie River on the Mitchell Highway near Dubbo
Carrathool bridge across the Murrumbidgee River on Carrathool Road at Carrathool
Cobram bridge across the Murray River at Berrigan-Cobram
Colemans bridge across Leycester Creek on Union Street in Lismore
Paytens bridge across the Lachlan River on Paytens Bridge Road near Forbes
Swan Hill bridge across the Murray River on Swan Hill Road at Swan Hill
Warroo bridge across the Lachlan River on Warro Bridge Road near Forbes