Freight operators are experiencing more reliable and safer journeys crossing Marthaguy Creek with a new, wider, stronger Wonbobbie Road bridge at Tenandra open to traffic.
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the new two-way concrete bridge replaces a single-lane structure that was limited to a 25-tonne capacity.
“The new bridge, about 21 kilometres north of Warren, has no capacity limits, and will improve traffic flow as vehicles will no longer have to wait for oncoming traffic to pass over the old single-lane structure,” Toole said.
“With about 130,000 tonnes of freight transported along Wonbobbie Road each year, the new bridge will improve freight efficiency by allowing drivers to make fewer trips with heavier loads, saving them time and costs.”
Member of the Legislative Council Sam Farraway said the new bridge has made journeys more reliable, particularly during periods of wet weather.
“The wider bridge is also delivering safer journeys for the local community and freight operators with modern barriers and improved line markings,” Farraway said.
“This project has helped keep the local economy ticking during a challenging time by providing about 36 jobs, made up of council employees and council’s regularly engaged contractors, since work started in July 2020.”
Warren Shire Council Mayor Milton Quigley said it was a big win for locals.
“Replacing Wonbobbie Bridge with a new two-lane concrete structure able to carry High Mass Limit vehicles has been well received by the local community because the old deteriorated structure meant that transporters constantly needed to break down their loads in order to use this crossing point – a time consuming process that is no longer needed,” Cr Quigley said
The $1.2 million project was funded through the NSW Government’s Fixing Country Roads program and a $300,000 contribution from council.
Fixing Country Roads is a $543 million program that supports important road upgrades across NSW to improve the efficiency of freight. For more information, visit https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/projects/programs/fixing-country-roads.