Work on the $342 million Nowra bridge in New South Wales is moving ahead, with the launch of the first bridge deck segment this week.
The project, jointly funded by the New South Wales and Australian governments and being delivered by Fulton Hogan, will provide a new four lane bridge over the Shoalhaven River, upgraded intersections and additional lanes on the Princes Highway.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the project would improve traffic flow and ease congestion on the Princes Highway.
“The new Nowra Bridge is a game-changer for the South Coast and the people who live, work and visit the Nowra area, by supporting 300 jobs during construction and delivering a safer, less congested road network when it’s finished,” the federal minister said.
“The Australian Government has also invested a further $1.4 billion into upgrades along the Princes Highway Corridor, including $900 million in New South Wales, demonstrating our commitment to the broader upgrade of this key freight, commuter and tourist route.”
New South Wales Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the new bridge would improve traffic flow on the Princes Highway and deliver faster and more reliable journeys around Nowra and Bomaderry.
“More than 50,000 vehicles cross the Shoalhaven River every day, so the impact of a third river crossing is huge, boosting productivity for local businesses, eliminating congestion and ensuring a safer crossing for everyone,” Toole said.
“Since 2011, the Australian and NSW Governments have invested $2.5 billion to upgrade the Princes Highway from Sydney to Nowra, including the New Nowra Bridge, with $1.87 billion in funding now driving upgrades from south of Nowra to the Victorian border.”
Crews have already installed 23 casings for the piles and are currently installing piles in the river which are up to 60 metres long. There will be 19 bridge deck segments in total for the new bridge, which when complete, will be around 360 metres long.
Major work started in mid 2020 and the project is expected to be complete by mid 2024.
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