Finish Line in Sight for Wallendbeen Bridge Replacement
Motorists will soon benefit from the return of a two-way crossing on Burley Griffin Way at Wallendbeen, with major work about to start on the road approaches that will allow traffic to access the new road-over-rail bridge.
Major work to deliver the road approaches will start Monday 5 May and is expected to be completed by late 2025, weather permitting.
Site preparations are complete, and work can now start to deliver the road approaches connecting Burley Griffin Way to the new crossing over the Main Southern rail line.
This final stage of work will also deliver upgrades to Silo, Morrisons Hill, North Jindalee and Cemetery roads.
Work will include installing drainage, trimming road batters, rolling out the road surface, erecting new safety barriers, installing line marking and rehabilitating the site.
Rehabilitation work near the site will include planting 420 native trees to replace around 70 trees and shrubs removed during construction.
The temporary 210-piece modular bridge, assembled like a giant Meccano set to serve traffic needs since 2021 when the original bridge was destroyed by a severe weather event, will also be removed and relocated to a compound area by the end of the year.
It will be redeployed to serve another emergency crossing in the state as needed.
Major work to deliver the road approaches will start Monday 5 May and be carried out weekdays, 7am to 6pm, and Saturdays as required between 7am and 6pm. Out of hours work may also be required on Saturday afternoons at certain points throughout the project.
To allow work to be carried out safely and as quickly as possible, Morrisons Hill Road and North Jindalee Road will be closed for the duration of the major road work, with all vehicles to detour via Allbutts Lane, adding about three minutes to journeys.
Motorists are advised a 40 km/h reduced speed limit will be in place 24 hours a day for the duration of the project, alongside the existing 20 km/h limit over the temporary bridge.
The highway will return to 60 km/h through this section of Wallendbeen when work is complete.
Transport for NSW will continue to keep the community updated as work continues.
More information: nswroads.work/wallendbeenbridge
Minister for Roads and Regional Transport, Minister Aitchison said:
“We recognise the challenges this project has presented for the local community and travellers using the Burley Griffin Way to connect to Griffith, Temora and the Hume Highway.
“We sincerely thank everyone for their patience as we've worked through them to deliver this permanent crossing solution.
“We would especially like to thank the Local MP Steph Cooke and the Mayor of Cootamundra-Gundagai Council Councillor Abb McAlister for all their help with this project.
“This final push will result in a wider, higher, stronger and safer bridge that will serve road users of all vehicle types, as well as rail operations, for generations to come.
“Work will involve raising Burley Griffin Way to meet the new bridge – which stands three metres higher than its predecessor – to accommodate future double-stacked container trains.
“About 30,000 tonnes of general fill material, 30,000 tonnes of road base material and around 1.5 megalitres of water – the equivalent of about 16 backyard pools – are required to complete this critical infrastructure project.”