The Minns Labor Government is proud to announce the completion of work on the Wallendbeen Bridge replacement project. The new crossing was needed following the emergency removal of the previous bridge after it sustained severe damage during intense wet weather and flooding in March 2021.
Burley Griffin Way serves as a critical road corridor in the regional road network, connecting the Hume Highway to the Riverina and providing access to the Olympic and Newell highways. While a temporary 210-piece modular bridge served traffic needs from November 2021 to September 2025, the new permanent road-over-rail bridge restores two-way traffic and stands three metres higher than its predecessor. It has been designed to accommodate double-stacked container trains in the future.
Construction of the new bridge was completed earlier this year, followed by the start of major work to deliver new road approaches. The traffic switch onto the new bridge in September allowed for the removal of the temporary bridge and the final stage of approach work. The new 30-metre concrete girder bridge features 3.9-metre-wide traffic lanes, two-metre shoulders on both sides and 3.4-metre-high safety screens.
Environmental improvements included planting 440 native trees, featuring various eucalypt and wattle species, including the iconic Cootamundra Wattle, to replace vegetation removed during construction.
Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison said: “This is such an exciting milestone for a long-awaited project that will deliver a stronger, more resilient bridge to keep the local community connected and protected on our roads, no matter the weather.”
Labor Duty MLC for Cootamundra, Stephen Lawrence said: “This new crossing not only strengthens our transport network but also improves safety for local residents, freight operators and visitors travelling through our region.”
Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke said: “This is a fantastic outcome for the people of Wallendbeen and the many road users who rely on Burley Griffin Way every day.
“The community has been incredibly patient as this project has progressed, and the result is a modern, safer and more reliable bridge that restores an essential connection through the region.”
It’s proven to be a disaster with a temporary bridge put in place taking 5 years with the Sydney Harbour Bridge built in 8. There was a lack of community consultation. The Government has not listened and have delivered a slow fix to a major problem. If another bridge comes down again will it take another 5 years to see it fixed? Will we see more farmers held up during harvest?
Meanwhile roadworks are underway on Burley Griffin Way. The current roadworks on Burley Griffin Way couldn’t have happened at a worse time for Transport for NSW and Hilltops Council to partner and do the work when their should have been more fore-sight with farmers up in arms about delays. They have to pull up their trucks when time is money. This disaster of a project is being hailed as a victory is an insult to everyone who had to endure its most serious consequences.
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