Civil engineering company Abergeldie has been awarded the contract to build the replacement Lansdowne Bridge, ushering in a new era of travel across the Mulwaree River in New South Wales.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Michael McCormack said the Australian and New South Wales Governments were funding the $18.6 million project to build the new bridge and upgrade its road approaches.
“Works to demolish the old bridge have rapidly changed the landscape surrounding the former crossing, with a brighter future for the region around the corner thanks to this significant bridge replacement project,” Mr McCormack said.
NSW Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Melinda Pavey said the new Lansdowne Bridge would increase access for freight operators and that work would soon start.
“The new crossing will help to change people’s lives by improving safety and result in more efficient travel for road users, including pedestrians and cyclists and heavy vehicle drivers,” Mrs Pavey said.
Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor said work was on track to start in coming weeks and was expected to take around 12 months to complete, weather permitting.
“Along with other locals, my family and I are pretty keen to see the work underway, because we use the road almost daily. A year of construction work comes with this project, so our infrastructure investments are not only fixing the roads and bridges, but creating more jobs,” Mr Taylor said.
“The former bridge crossing and adjacent heritage properties have been recorded for archival purposes as part of the Office of Environment and Heritage’s planning approvals for the bridge,” Mr Taylor said.
State Member for Goulburn Pru Goward said the project would help preserve the history of the location partly by using recycled timbers and other structural materials appropriated from the old bridge.
“The community will be updated about the progress of this strategy and in the meantime, the old bridge’s timber beams are being treated to remove hazardous substances so they can be used again,” Ms Goward said.
