Early work to replace the Warroo Bridge in New South Wales will commence in September in an effort to improve transport efficiency, safety and reliability in the region.
The NSW Government has committed to replacing the ageing timber truss bridge over the Lachlan River between Forbes and Condobolin, which, built in 1909, is now in poor condition and is not suitable to be used by modern agricultural equipment and other heavy vehicles with Higher Mass Limit (HML) loads.
Transport for NSW Director West, Alistair Lunn, said that preserving the existing bridge is not a viable option.
“The best outcome for all road users in the area, and particularly freight operators, is to build a new concrete bridge just a few metres upstream, along with new approach roads on either side,” he said.
“Warroo Bridge is the only major crossing of the Lachlan River between Forbes and Condobolin that links Lachlan Valley Way and Henry Parkes Way, and is used by local traffic, tourists and vital regional freight operators.”
The new bridge will offer improved safety through wider lanes, increased load capacity and access for heavy and wider vehicles and feature better road approaches.
In addition to these safety features, the new Warroo Bridge will also be more convenient as it will require reduced ongoing maintenance costs and closures.
“When the existing bridge is closed for maintenance, motorists are faced with a 93-kilometre detour to travel from one side of the river to the other,” Lunn said.
“The new bridge will eliminate this frustrating inconvenience.”
Preliminary earthworks will will start on 9 September and will take roughly eight weeks to complete, weather permitting.
Speed reductions and other traffic changes will be applied in the area.
Bridge construction is expected to start by mid-2025 following the selection of a successful tender and an awarded contract.
In other news, Centurion has announced the appointment of Giles Lenz to the role of Executive General Manager, People and Capability.
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