Member for Tamworth, Kevin Anderson has welcomed the start of work on a new crossing of the Namoi River at Manilla.
“This is a major project with considerable benefits for Manilla and district residents as well as those passing through this important centre”, Mr Anderson said.
“The new structure will especially benefit heavy vehicle drivers who have needed to negotiate the tight restrictions of the existing narrow bridge
“It will also benefit the so-called ‘grey nomads’ and others towing caravans or trailers who currently face difficulties when confronting another vehicle of similar size, or larger, coming in the opposite direction.”
“The new bridge has been a long time coming and the start of earthworks will be encouraging news to those eager to see a modern new Namoi River crossing in Manilla,” Mr Anderson said.
The new structure is jointly funded by the NSW Government and Tamworth Regional Council.
Mayor, Col Murray said, “The existing narrow bridge, dating back to 1886, is not serving the community well and is not providing the standard of road network needed to support economic growth in our region.
“The new two-lane crossing will sit at about the 1-in-100 year flood level and will greatly improve access across the Namoi River,” Mayor Murray said.
Mr Anderson said that NSW Government funding had allowed the bridge to be built higher than originally planned.
“I congratulate all those who have worked so hard to see this project to the earthworks stage, and to those who are now bringing this important piece of regional road infrastructure to completion,” Mr Anderson concluded.
It is expected the new Namoi River crossing will be completed by mid-next year.
Namoi River Crossing Construction has started on the Namoi River Crossing which will provide Manilla with a new multimillion dollar two-lane bridge.
The new bridge – designed to sit above the 1-in-100 year flood level – will cross the Namoi River at Arthur Street about 380 metres upstream of the existing narrow bridge built in 1886.
The project is funded with a $7,896,500 NSW Government grant under the Restart NSW – Growing Local Economies Fund and a 10 per cent contribution from Council. Transport for NSW has committed an additional funding contribution of up to $1 million to enhance the design of the bridge and its road approaches to provide a smoother route. The total budget for the project is $9,773,892.
Work has started with the construction of two new water mains, the start of bridge foundations, and, the upgrade of the Market Street and Arthur Street intersection.
Minor roadworks will get underway in November 2020 with the major part of the roadworks starting in February 2021. All works are expected to be completed in mid-2021.
The project, which will deliver improved road safety and travel efficiencies, includes connecting roadworks between the intersection with Market Street to the south of the bridge, and the intersection with Barraba Street via Rowan Street to the north of the bridge.
The project overview (subject to weather and construction scheduling) is:
October 2020 – Start of water main construction, bridge foundations, Market Street/Arthur Street intersection upgrade, and minor roadworks between Charles Street and the river St
January 2021 – Bridge girders installed.
February 2021 – Major roadworks component starts for new Manilla Road alignment and bridge deck installed.
March 2021 – Bridge barriers installed.
April 2021 – Bridge asphalt installed and final works completed on bridge structure.
June 2021 – Scheduled completion of all works
Leading civil and electrical engineering contractors, Sydney-based TOBCO, was awarded the tender for the design and construction of the bridge. It has assembled a team with extensive bridge design and construction experience for the Namoi River Crossing project.
Project updates and other information can be accessed through the My TRC Online Community at https://yourvoice.tamworth.nsw.gov.au/namoi-river-crossing-project
