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.
The project also delivered upgrades to Silo, Morrisons Hill, North Jindalee and Cemetery roads.
For more information, visit nswroads.work/wallendbeenbridge.
Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison said:
"The Minns Labor Government is delivering the major infrastructure projects that regional communities need.
"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.
"The new bridge restores a two-way crossing on Burley Griffin Way at Wallendbeen and stands three metres higher than its predecessor, ready to accommodate future double-stacked container trains.
"The new bridge is wider than both the original and temporary bridges, and able to accommodate B-Doubles and even larger trucks, improving safety and reliability for everyone who travels this route.
"I know this project has brought major challenges for the community, and I want to thank locals for their incredible patience as we've worked to deliver this important connection. I'd also like to thank the local Member, Steph Cooke, for her energetic advocacy and commitment to seeing this project through.
"It's also wonderful to see the environmental rehabilitation taking shape, with 420 native trees, including the much-loved Cootamundra Wattle, being planted to replace vegetation removed during construction."
Labor Duty MLC for Cootamundra, Stephen Lawrence said:
"We've worked closely with Transport for NSW to deliver this vital upgrade, and it's great to see the new bridge now open and fully operational.
"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."
