Spring Creek bridge opens

The wait is over, Spring Creek bridge is open.

The new 64-metre-long bridge on the Kamilaroi Highway is now open to traffic, boosting travel efficiency and safety for all road users between Wee Waa and Narrabri, said Member for Barwon, Roy Butler.

The bridge, about 9.5 kilometres north-west of Narrabri, has been built on the same alignment as the previous bridge and is a wider, stronger structure that provides improved access for freight operators, tourists and the local agriculture communities, said a statement released by Mr Butler’s office.

With the completion of the new bridge and road approaches, all traffic has this week been switched from the temporary sealed sidetrack back on to the main road alignment.

The sidetrack, which opened to traffic in July 2024, enabled two-way traffic flow on the Kamilaroi Highway to be maintained throughout the construction phase of the project.

Mr Butler said opening the new bridge to traffic marked an important milestone for the communities of Narrabri and Wee Waa, which also received an economic boost during construction because of the emphasis on locally sourced materials and accommodation of workers.

“The new stronger and wider Spring Creek Bridge brings benefits to all road users in this area, but particularly freight operators and local farmers who rely on that route to provide efficient movement around the state’s north-west,” said Mr Butler.

“The old Spring Creek Bridge, built in 1968, was a reinforced concrete box culvert structure that had previously been subject to heavy vehicle restrictions and detours while essential safety works were carried out. The new bridge is a far sturdier structure, built on a foundation of 20 piles which have been driven between 18 and 27 metres into the ground. The new bridge deck is also supported by 48 spaced planks which are precast, pre-stressed concrete beams that span between the piers.

“Each plank weighs about 12 tonnes and had to be carefully craned into position.

“The new Spring Creek Bridge deck comprises about 170 cubic metres of concrete while, in total, the bridge construction has used about 720 cubic metres of concrete and 140 tonnes of steel reinforcement.

“The $13.1 million investment in this new bridge will return dividends in terms of improved connectivity between Narrabri and Wee Waa, lower future maintenance costs, as well as ensuring that the Kamilaroi Highway remains a viable transport route for traffic and freight for many years to come,” said Mr Butler.

The old Spring Creek Bridge was demolished during the early stages of the project, and the temporary sealed sidetrack will also be removed in the coming months, said the statement released by Mr Butler’s office.