New South Wales, News, Road upgrades

Regional NSW bridge washed away in floods reopens following rebuild

Work to rebuild the Dumaresq Overflow Channel Bridge in regional New South Wales has now been completed, following serious damage by flooding in March 2021.

The new three-span concrete bridge was officially opened on Tuesday February 4, providing improved access on Bruxner Way – a regional road linking Tenterfield to Boggabilla and Goondiwindi.

Bruxner Way services a largely agricultural region, but traffic had been forced to use a single lane side road under traffic control since the bridge was washed away.

“We know that the consecutive flooding events across 2021 and 2022 had a significant impact on communities across northern NSW,” said Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Jenny McAllister.

“The completed Dumaresq Overflow Channel Bridge means that residents and local agribusiness have an easier and quicker regional access.”

Work on the bridge began in 2023. Image: TfNSW

Work on the bridge started in May 2023 and included the demolition of the damaged bridge and approach embankments, reconstruction and rehabilitation of the channel and surrounding riverbanks, and installation of steel guardrail.

This project was jointly funded by the Commonwealth Government, with Tenterfield Shire Council, Transport for NSW and the NSW Reconstruction Authority, contributing through a NSW Government Tripartite funding initiative. This type of agreement aims to reduce financial pressure on councils by providing advanced funding to ensure faster repairs for communities.

Work to build the new bridge was carried out for Tenterfield Shire Council by Transport for NSW and was jointly funded through the federal-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

Tenterfield Shire Mayor Bronwyn Petrie added, “We are pleased to see the reopening of the bridge on the Bruxner Way, west of Tenterfield, which is a significant regional and interstate road.

“It has been nearly four years since the embankments were washed away in a devastating flood in March 2021, requiring road users to use a detour subject to closure during flood events, disrupting local traffic and heavy freight transport.

“Tenterfield Shire Council greatly appreciates the disaster funding from the State and Federal governments to enable the rebuild and expresses our thanks to Transport for NSW and contractors for their work on the reconstruction.”

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