Local community, tourist and freight operators will now have access to the new $148 million Nelligen Bridge, opening almost a year ahead of schedule.
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Sam Farraway said the NSW Government is building the infrastructure that matters to keep the state moving forward.
“Our new two-lane bridge has a 100-year design life ensuring a more reliable and safer trip for motorists and will serve as an important link for our freight industry,” Mr Farraway said.
“The Kings Highway is one of the busiest roads in the region, which is why since 2011 the government has invested more than $200 million into building the infrastructure that matters, making this highway safer for families travelling to and from the south coast,” he said.
“Our experience in building major road infrastructure projects has seen this project delivered earlier than anticipated and I thank those workers who put in a mammoth effort – clocking up 409,000 work hours – to get this bridge open quickly.
While the new bridge was set to open from 3pm today (Wednesday February 22) it was more like 7pm when it finally did, and NSW Ambulances were given the privilege of being the first vehicles to cross Nelligen’s new bridge, when it opened to the public.
There is still work to be done, with the focus now on the demolition of the old bridge (which is closed as of today), final pavement work and landscaping as well as designing a new community space along the foreshore.
The new bridge is 349 metres long with wider traffic lanes in each direction and wider shoulders and a new pedestrian path on the southern side of the bridge.
Approximately 5,000 vehicles use the bridge daily crossing over the Clyde River.
Images: Transport for NSW
