A newly constructed $12 million bridge will allow for greater freight movements, thanks to a higher mass limit and wider lanes.
The new Mandagery Creek Bridge replacement recently opened to two-way traffic.
Crews have now added the final touches including new signage, linemarking, footpaths, fencing and the construction of a heritage interpretation area.
The bridge provides an important link freight operators travelling between Orange and Parkes.
An innovative ‘half-half’ construction method was used to replace the bridge on its original alignment which involved partially demolishing and then constructing the upstream half of the bridge, before repeating the process for the downstream half.
This construction method meant there was a continuous single lane traffic flow across Mandagery Creek during almost all of the construction period.
Minister for Regional Roads and Transport Jenny Aitchison said: “The engineers behind this bridge build need to be congratulated for their ingenuity – progressively demolishing and building the bridge on the same alignment to minimise disruption to traffic, which is particularly important for local industry and the movement of freight.
“There are now no limitations on freight movements across the bridge, allowing for reduced travel times in getting materials from paddock to processing.”
The heritage interpretation area was incorporated into the project to honour the history of this iconic bridge.
The first Mandagery Creek Bridge was built in 1879 and two horsedrawn wagons were the first traffic to cross it.
After 49 years of service, it was washed away by floodwater in February 1928. A concrete bridge was built to replace it in almost the same position, which was opened in April 1930.
Some 90 years later and that bridge was in poor condition and no longer meeting today’s needs.
“We now have a replacement bridge that meets current design standards and will improve safety for motorists and pedestrians,” said Labor’s spokesperson for Orange Stephen Lawrence MLC.
“A big shout out to the hard working project team who, despite significant delays due to weather and losing the established project site in the 2022 flood, ensured the project was finished on time.”