Major works to begin on $30m Marshalls Creek Bridge replacement in August

Work on a $30 million Marshalls Creek Bridge replacement project aimed at easing congestion on the Sturt Highway will begin in August 2025.

The project will see a 23.8-metre-wide bridge built, which will consist of four lanes with 2.5-metre-wide shoulders on either side. Pedestrian and cyclist access will be upgraded with a three-metre-wide shared path on the upstream (south) side and a 1.8-metre-wide footpath on the bridge’s downstream (north) side.

Transport for NSW (TfNSW) said the early work will include relocating a gas pipe, removing overhead power poles, and installing street lighting to prepare the site for major construction.

Committee 4 Wagga CEO Scott Sanbrook welcomed the news that work will soon begin.

“Committee 4 Wagga has advocated for a long time for an upgrade of the Marshalls Creek Bridge, so we are delighted to see progress with the project,” Mr Sanbrook said.

“It’s been a serious traffic concern for a number of years, and we commend those who have pushed for the upgrade, particularly Member for Wagga Dr Joe McGirr.

“Committee 4 Wagga will continue to campaign for a solution to the Gobbagombalin Bridge issue. Accessing the northern precinct is so important in the long term.”

Dr McGirr said the redevelopment of the Marshalls Creek Bridge was a major piece of transport infrastructure that Wagga would need to meet the demands of a growing population.

“The works will deliver a safer, smoother journey on the highway through Wagga and will help to address a long-standing chokepoint and safety issues,” Dr McGirr said.

“In line with community wishes, the Marshalls Creek project was prioritised over proposed works at the Gobba Bridge intersections, which were not uniformly supported and would have compromised our ability to secure a second river crossing.

“With the Marshalls Creek Bridge works now delivering an important boost to east-west transport links, I am stepping up my advocacy for a duplication of the Gobba Bridge, using data from the Northern Access Strategy, to provide the safe and efficient north-south arterial connection that a rapidly growing community will need as the population expands.”

The relocation of the existing overhead electrical network near the bridge is set to take about 10 weeks to complete.

“The tender to construct the bridge has closed, and the award of tender is anticipated to be announced in June,” a TfNSW spokesperson said.

“Major work is expected to start in August this year and take about two years to complete, weather permitting.”

TfNSW said it had been carefully planning the construction of the replacement bridge to minimise traffic impacts for the 20,000 road users who travelled over it each day.

The new bridge will be built over several stages to minimise traffic impacts while keeping the bridge open. “While this staged approach will make the construction period slightly longer, it will also mean fewer planned closures and detours,” a spokesperson said.

“We have planned for up to 15 closures to be carried out during the two-year build. These closures will be scheduled at night and at weekends to minimise road user impacts. We’ll give road users plenty of notice of these planned closures so they can plan their journeys. We’ll also maintain pedestrian and cyclist access in the area during the build.”

TfNSW said it would work with the bridge contractor to ensure pedestrian and cyclist movements were safely managed with detours or alternative access.

“Transport is committed to working with minimal impact to our waterways. We have carried out environmental assessments to understand the local ecology and have procedures in place to protect the waterways and local aquatic ecology.”