The design and construction contract for the Nowra Bridge project has been awarded and work will soon be underway.
Fulton Hogan Construction was awarded the contract for the $342 million project, which is funded by the Commonwealth and NSW Governments.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Michael McCormack, said the project will improve traffic flow and ease congestion on this major section of the Princes Highway.
“We are keeping communities connected and delivering faster and more reliable journeys for those travelling the South Coast,” Mr McCormack said.
“The new Nowra Bridge will build upon road upgrades currently under way in the region and will better cater for heavy and over-height vehicles.
“It’s all part of the Government’s record $100 billion pipeline of infrastructure projects getting people to where they need to be sooner and safer.”
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Paul Toole, said the new four-lane bridge over the Shoalhaven River will improve traffic flow on the Princes Highway and deliver faster and more reliable journeys in the Nowra and Bomaderry area.
“We are building the infrastructure projects needed to support growing areas such as Nowra, which is why, since 2011, the Commonwealth and NSW governments have invested more than $2.5 billion to upgrade the Princes Highway to create safer and more efficient journeys along the south coast of NSW,” Mr Toole said.
“About 50,000 motorists already cross the Shoalhaven River every day and with traffic only set to grow, this project will ensure safer and more reliable journeys now and for the future.”
Senator for NSW, Jim Molan, said the new bridge will make emergency services and community facilities more accessible for the residents in the region.
“The recent bushfires have shown the importance of access up and down the Princes Highway and the new bridge will further support access down the Shoalhaven and the South Coast,” Mr Molan said.
Member for South Coast, Shelley Hancock, said the Nowra Bridge project would change the way motorists move in and around the region.
“As part of the project, we will upgrade the intersections at Illaroo Road, Bolong Road and Bridge Road and will build a new local road linking Lyrebird Drive with the Princes Highway south of the current Pleasant Way intersection,” Ms Hancock said.
“During early planning it became clear a new bridge could address key issues in the area including maintenance difficulties with the old bridge.”
The existing southbound bridge will be retained for ongoing community use, such as pedestrian and cycle path access.
Early work such as utility relocation and demolition of acquired properties will start in February 2020 with major work set to start later in 2020. The project is scheduled to be completed by mid-2024, weather permitting.
