Wagga Wagga's Eunony Bridge has re-opened to traffic after the completion of a $10.6M widening and strengthening project.
Wagga Wagga City Council officially allowed traffic across the new structure at 6.00am today.
Work on the upgrade began in mid-February to make the bridge deck stronger and wider to enable the load limit to be lifted.
Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Greg Conkey OAM thanked the community, motorists and businesses for their patience during the construction.
"This has been a much-anticipated re-opening of an upgraded structure which will deliver major benefits for the city of Wagga Wagga," Cr Conkey said.
"It provides a stronger, safer and more eastern crossing of the Murrumbidgee River and creates a new route for heavy vehicles that will help reduce heavy vehicle traffic in the CBD.
"This is a key link for our High Productivity Freight Route, which will provide better access from the Sturt Highway to the Bomen Business Park and Riverina Intermodal Freight & Logistics (RiFL) Hub and connections to the Olympic Highway.
"It will integrate with existing transport and build capacity for future growth, with heavy vehicle traffic expected to grow by 45% between 2013 and 2025."
As a result of the strengthening and widening project, Eunony Bridge is now SM1600 certified and can carry all standard truck configurations as published by the Australian Trucking Association.
Council received $9.8M in Federal and State government funding towards the project.
Federal Member for Riverina, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the reopening of the Eunony Bridge would be welcome news to the many commuters who use it.
"The upgrade of the Eunony Bridge, partly funded to the tune of $4.9 million through the Federal Government's Bridges Renewal Program, will play such an important role in transporting freight to and from the Bomen Industrial Hub, where the transformational Inland Rail and the future Riverina Intermodal Freight and Logistics Hub will prove to be a game-changer for industry in the Wagga Wagga region," Mr McCormack said.
"I have worked with the local community and industry leaders over many years and am delighted to see this vital upgrade delivered. It will help reduce heavy vehicle traffic travelling through Wagga Wagga and improve safety for all road users."
NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the NSW Government provided $4.9 million towards the project from its $543 million Fixing Country Roads program, aimed at unlocking the economic potential of regional NSW.
"Fixing Country Roads projects deliver important benefits for all regional road users - from
passengers to producers and from heavy truck drivers to the local workers - who all share our local and regional roads," Mr Toole said.
"With the regional freight task in NSW expected to increase by 12 percent to 286 million
tonnes by 2036, projects such as Eunony Bridge are vital to improving freight links across regional communities."
Member for Wagga Wagga Dr Joe McGirr is pleased to see Eunony Bridge once again open to traffic.
"It's good news. The upgrade is critical not only for the development of the Bomen precinct, but for the whole region," he said.
"It will also be a relief for local residents of Wagga in terms of traffic flow to have the bridge open again."
