The NSW Labor Government is pressing ahead with major improvements to heavy vehicle access, freight connectivity and road safety in western NSW by investing in construction of a new concrete bridge at Rawsonville, 21 kilometres west of Dubbo.
The existing timber bridge at Rawsonville was built in 1916. It no longer meets modern design standards and is unable to be used by heavy vehicles with higher mass limit loads.
By investing in the replacement of the ageing timber bridge over the Macquarie River, the NSW Labor Government will unlock more opportunities for economic growth in the Dubbo region while improving the safety of all road users and reducing travel times.
Early work for the Rawsonville Bridge replacement project will start on Monday 8 April, with preliminary earthworks to construct new approach embankments for the future new bridge.
The work will take about 10 weeks to complete, weather permitting.
The next stage of the project, inviting bridge construction tenders, is expected to take place around the end of 2024.
The preliminary earthworks will mean some changed traffic conditions for motorists in the area.
Work hours will be 7am to 6pm Monday to Saturday, weather permitting.
Traffic control and a reduced speed limit of 80 km/h will be in place during work hours on the Mitchell Highway at the intersection with Rawsonville Bridge Road.
The speed limit on Rawsonville Bridge Road will be reduced to 40 km/h during work hours and 80 km/h outside of work hours.
Intermittent single lane closures may be required on Rawsonville Bridge Road throughout the earthworks.
In addition, traffic control and a reduced speed limit of 80 km/h will be in place on the Mitchell Highway at the intersection with Burrabadine Road during haulage of material from the stockpile at this site that will be used in the work.
All motorists are reminded to keep to the reduced speed limits, follow the direction of traffic controllers and signs throughout this work and allow up to five minutes of extra travel time.
Transport for NSW will continue to update the community as the Rawsonville Bridge replacement project progresses. More information is available on the Transport for NSW website.
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:
“I’m proud the NSW Labor Government is investing an extra $6.4 million needed to get this job done.
“I recognise the importance of the project and all the hard work put in by the project team to get this estimated $18.9 million project shovel ready.
“Once completed, the new Rawsonville Bridge will deliver safer and smoother journeys for road users through wider lanes and better road approaches, increased load capacity for heavy vehicles, improved access for wide vehicles and reduced road closures.”
Dubbo Duty MLC Stephen Lawrence said:
“Used by local traffic, tourists and vital regional freight operators, Rawsonville Bridge is an important crossing of the Macquarie River that links the Mitchell Highway to the Dubbo-Burraway Road and the Newell Highway between the towns of Dubbo and Narromine.
“When the existing bridge is closed for maintenance, motorists are faced with a 45-kilometre detour to travel from one side of the river to the other. A new bridge will put an end to that frustrating inconvenience.
“We appreciate the patience of all motorists as preliminary work gets underway on this important addition to western NSW’s roads infrastructure.”