New South Wales, News, Road upgrades

$20 million planning works continue for Sheahan Bridge upgrade

A key bridge on one of Australia’s busiest road freight corridors, the industry has long pushed for upgrades to the Sheahan Bridge to improve access for heavy vehicles.

As it’s still only in planning phases, it could be some time before we see any upgrades come to fruition. However planning seems to be progressing.

The Australian and NSW governments have allocated $20 million to a planning project for the Sheahan Bridge upgrade project on the Hume Highway at Gundagai.

A contract has now been awarded to provide a concept design for the bridge’s upgrade or replacement.

WSP Australia Pty Ltd will provide concept design development and environmental assessment of a potential upgrade or replacement options for the northbound bridge over the Murrumbidgee River.

The current northbound bridge was built in 1977, with duplication of the southbound lanes officially opened to traffic in May 2009.

While the load limit was increased from 68 to 85 tonnes in 2020 on the northbound bridge, for the safety of motorists, higher productivity vehicles still have to use a permit to travel on the NSW section of the Hume Highway due to the age of the bridge and structure limitations.

These limitations on the northbound bridge also restrict opportunities for contraflow during emergency response or planned maintenance activities on the southbound bridge.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said, “The Hume Highway is the major freight corridor from Sydney to Melbourne, the oldest and busiest highway in Australia.

“Instead of forcing HPVs to use permits, the NSW and Federal Labor governments are working together to deliver a fit for purpose bridge which will reduce red tape for HPV freight operators by enabling them to use this route without having to obtain permits.”

The upgrade planning project will investigate potential solution options which include:

  • building a replacement bridge on a new alignment upstream (east) or downstream (west) of the existing bridge
  • replacing the existing bridge on its current alignment
  • strengthening the existing bridge.

Transport for NSW is now working with the contractor to further investigate each alternative and identify a preferred option.

It is expected a preferred option will be identified for public display in mid-2026.

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