The Minns Labor Government is continuing to plan and deliver the critical infrastructure regional NSW needs and deserves, today announcing that planning is underway to rebuild the State Heritage-listed Crankies Plain Bridge, increasing its load limit while protecting its heritage charm.
Dating back to the early 1890s, Crankies Plain Bridge is one of only four remaining McDonald timber truss road bridges in NSW and continues to play an important role in the local transport network.
While the bridge remains safe for traffic, the rebuild is necessary to improve its safety and resilience, preserving its heritage significance for future generations.
Funded by the High Priority Bridge and Slopes and Bridge Maintenance programs, the upgraded structure will increase the bridge's load limit, strengthening freight connections to the Monaro Highway and nearby towns and supporting local industry and jobs.
The first stage of planning has focused on identifying a suitable detour route to maintain access for motorists while construction is underway.
The rebuilding of the Crankies Plain Bridge is an important part of the Minns Labor Government's plan to build better-connected regional communities across Regional NSW.
The preferred detour route would use Black Lake Road, an existing approved heavy vehicle corridor with no significant environmental or heritage impacts.
While the preferred option would see a detour time of up to 30 minutes during the project, Black Lake Road would be upgraded and improved for the long-term benefit of the local community.
Two other options were considered, an upgrade to Crankies Plain Road and a temporary bridge on either side of the existing bridge, but investigations found these would create greater environmental, property and construction challenges, longer delivery timeframes and higher costs.
Transport for NSW will continue to keep the community informed as planning progresses and will host three drop-in sessions for locals to ask questions and provide feedback.
Community drop-in sessions:
- Bombala and District Markets from 8am to 2pm, Saturday 22 November
- Bombala Community Centre from 4pm to 7pm, Tuesday 25 November
- Maybe Street, Bombala (near IGA) from 10am to 2pm, Wednesday 26 November
To provide feedback online, visit Have your say, Rebuilding of Crankies Plain Bridge.
Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison said:
"This is an important project to ensure regional NSW gets the critical infrastructure it needs and deserves.
"There is no perfect time to rebuild Crankies Plain Bridge, but this work is essential to keep our roads safe and our communities connected.
"I encourage everyone in the community to have their say on how they use the bridge and local roads, and how the preferred detour route might affect them.
"We understand some people would prefer to see a completely new bridge, but as a State Heritage-listed structure, we must respect its historic value and meet heritage requirements through a rebuild."
Member for Monaro, Steve Whan said:
"Crankies Plain Bridge has been part of Bombala's history for more than a century, and this project will make sure it continues to serve the community safely for generations to come.
"This rebuild strikes the right balance between preserving our local heritage and delivering modern safety and freight improvements."
"I want to thank the community for their patience and engagement throughout this process - their feedback is vital in helping shape the final design and delivery of this important project."
