The Albanese and Minns Labor governments are progressing plans for an upgrade of a key bridge on one of Australia’s busiest road freight corridors, as part of efforts to unlock access for more heavy vehicles.
The $20 million jointly funded planning project for the Sheahan Bridge Upgrade project on the Hume Highway at Gundagai has moved into its next phase of development with a contract 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 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 by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on 25 May 2009 when he was Minister for Infrastructure and Transport.
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.
The Federal and NSW Labor Governments are working together to ensure that this major bridge on the Hume Highway, the oldest and busiest highway in NSW, which follows the 200-year-old track traversed by Hume and Hovell in 1824, can meet the challenges of 21st century road freight.
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 and Transport will keep the community updated as the project progresses.
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. It has been Labor governments which have invested and delivered the crucial upgrades that have ensured freight, tourism and other road users can rely on this vital network.
“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.”
NSW Labor’s spokesperson for Cootamundra Stephen Lawrence MLC:
“All across regional NSW, Labor governments are working together to improve roads, bridges and other transport infrastructure.
“I am very pleased to see the Sheahan Bridge upgrade planning project progressing and look forward to learning what the preferred improvement option is.”