Construction has begun on the second of two piers of the 320m cantilever bridge of the New England Highway upgrade at Bolivia Hill.
Transport for NSW Director Northern Region, Anna Andrews, said the $80 million project is being co-funded by the NSW and Federal Governments to improve safety and reliability on a vital tourist and freight route.
“Slope stabilisation work was completed earlier this year on the eastern side of the highway at the project site, about 32km south of Tenterfield,” Ms Andrews said.
“Construction of the first pier has been completed and formwork is in place which will allow construction of the cantilever bridge segments to start.
“Water required for concrete production is being sourced from a private bore hole near the construction site and, wherever possible, water is collected and reused on site to minimise usage.”
Ms Andrews said excavation work is nearing completion on the eastern side of the highway to make way for wider lanes and road shoulders.
“In the coming weeks, traffic will be switched to the eastern side of the highway so reconstruction work can start on the western side,” she said.
“The upgrade remains on track to be complete by the end of 2020, weather permitting.
“The improvement of this essential link for heavy vehicles will allow local producers to safely and reliably transport their goods to market, while also improving safety and efficiency levels for all road users.”
