Location locked in for new Shoalhaven crossing at Nowra

The Hon. Warren Truss MP
Deputy Prime Minister of Australia
Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development

Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss and Minister for Roads and Freight Duncan Gay have announced the preferred location for a new bridge crossing of Shoalhaven River. The new bridge will be built upstream from the existing crossing.

Minister Gay was joined by Federal Member for Gilmore Ann Sudmalis, Member for the South coast Shelley Hancock and Member for Kiama Gareth Ward to make the announcement today.

The NSW Government has provided $1.6 million for investigations to finalise the location of the bridge.

“The Australian Government has committed $10 million in the next three years to carry out further investigations and planning for the Nowra Bridge project,” Mr Truss said.

“The existing bridge is 130 years old and planning for a new bridge is needed to make sure this river crossing can safely cater for increasing traffic volumes in the future,” Minister Gay said.

“Almost 50,000 vehicles cross this bridge everyday creating stifling congestion. That’s why our planning project will ensure that we can meet traffic growth for decades to come.”

“I congratulate the NSW Government and the community in determining the location of the third river crossing and I look forward to further consultation regarding the future of our old iron bridge,” Mrs Sudmalis said.

“The decision on the preferred location allows planning to start later this year on the intersection and bridge concept designs,” Mrs Hancock said.

“As part of the project, Roads and Maritime Services will also look at ways to resolve traffic issues at the Princes Highway intersections at Bolong Road, Illaroo Road, Bridge Road and Pleasant Way,” Mr Ward said.

About this project

Planning is now underway for a new bridge that will improve conditions on the Princes Highway over the Shoalhaven River in Nowra. $10 million has been committed by the Federal Government to complete this planning.

The project is being developed because of the increasing maintenance needs of the southbound iron truss bridge. The structure is over 130 years old and like any bridge of its age requires substantial maintenance. The maintenance needed to keep the bridge safe for the traveling public requires the bridge be closed, and due to high traffic volumes during the day, can only be carried out during limited night shift hours.

The iron truss bridge structure also restricts some heavy vehicle access and is at high risk of damage to the truss structure in the event of a collision with an oversized vehicle. Such an impact could close the bridge for an extended period until it is repaired.

Almost 50,000 vehicles cross the Shoalhaven River on an average day. Any extensive closures of the iron truss bridge due to maintenance or emergency repairs would cause major delays to the network around Nowra. Planning for a new bridge is needed now to make sure this crossing can cope with traffic now and into the future. Any new bridge would need to address the issues with this crossing.

A decision on the future of the iron truss bridge has not been made. Roads and Maritime will be asking for submissions from stakeholders and the community in the near future.

Source: ProjectLink.com.au

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