Major step for new Spring Creek Bridge

Member for Barwon Roy Butler’s office has released a media statement with an update on the Spring Creek bridge.

The last of the 48 pre-cast concrete girders have been installed as construction of the new Spring Creek Bridge on the Kamilaroi Highway, west of Narrabri, continues to take shape, said the statement released in June.

Work on the new bridge project started in September last year with the demolition of the former bridge.

Piling work to support the new 64-metre-long bridge was completed earlier this year.

The next major step as part of the new Spring Creek Bridge replacement project will involve pouring the bridge deck.

The $13.1 million project is jointly funded, with the Australian government contributing $5 million under the Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program, and the NSW government contributing $8.1 million.

“The new stronger and wider Spring Creek Bridge will improve road safety for all road users but particularly heavy vehicles that rely on the bridge to travel between Narrabri and Wee Waa,” said Mr Butler.

“The new bridge is being built on the same alignment as the previous structure and during its construction, two-way traffic flow is being maintained via a temporary sealed side track which has a reduced speed limit of 60 kmh,” he added.

“Over five days during May, a large 130-tonne mobile crane lifted the 48 ‘plank’ girders into place, giving people a feel for how substantial the new bridge will be.

“Crews will now begin work to form the bridge deck.

“The new Spring Creek Bridge project will deliver a new bridge that will meet modern standards and support the current and future requirements of the road network.

“The entire project is expected to use more than 720 cubic metres of locally-sourced concrete and will require about 140 tonnes of steel reinforcement.

“The completion of girder installation is another exciting milestone for this bridge project in the north-west of the state.

“This important piece of infrastructure is on track to open to traffic later this year, weather permitting.”