Local suppliers help with $15.9M historic bridge upgrade in NSW

Twelve local suppliers have contributed to the $15.9 million upgrade of the historic Briner Bridge.

The project, which is close to completion, will see the bridge widened to two lanes with an increased load capacity.

Before the upgrade the bridge was a Dare type timber truss bridge and dates back to the road network growth due to a boom in economic activity in the early 1900s.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said we know this historic bridge is an important local structure, which is why the NSW Government, through our Bridges for the Bush program, invested in works that will ensure it remains fit for purpose for generations to come.

Works will also preserve heritage features such as the Dare truss and timber decking.

“The project will deliver more efficient and reliable journeys with the new bridge’s capacity increased from 33 tonnes to 42.5 tonnes and widening the bridge deck from 4.5m, to 5.4m between barriers to improve traffic flow on Coldstream Terrace,” Toole said.

“Projects like this show we’re working hard to build a safer, stronger regional NSW.”

Clarence Nationals MP and Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Roads and Infrastructure Chris Gulaptis said that on top of benefiting local communities that rely on this bridge, the upgrade also helped sustain 20 full-time jobs and provided employment for 12 local suppliers while the work was carried out.

“Upgrading this 113-year-old structure has been a massive effort for the project team, replacing the Dare truss and the approach spans including new land-based piles that support its 113-metre length,” Gulaptis said.

“The Transport for NSW project team is continuing work on site and one of the first jobs they’ll be doing will be to dismantle the temporary ‘bridge-in-a-box’, which the community has been using while this essential restoration work was under way.”

Crews will remove the temporary bridge before carrying out the finishing work on the main structure.