A new southbound bridge to duplicate the existing Sheahan Bridge over the Murrumbidgee River at Gundagai will be constructed to provide, in conjunction with the Coolac Bypass, four-lane divided carriageway from Sydney south to the Sturt Highway intersection.
The Australian Government is funding this project under AusLink, the National Transport Plan.
The project is being managed by the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA).
Key features
- Construction of a 1.15 kilometre long, two lane southbound bridge over the Murrumbidgee River at Gundagai.
- Construction of 1.5 kilometres of road approaches connecting with the existing Hume Highway dual carriageway.
- Minor adjustments on the Gundagai to Junee Road to provide required clearance between the bridge and road.
Benefits
- Improved road safety by separating opposing traffic flows in a high speed environment.
- Improved traffic efficiency by increasing travel speed and providing consistent road conditions to dual carriageway standards.
- Together with the Coolac Bypass, complete dual carriageway on the Hume Highway from Sydney to the Sturt Highway turnoff.
Background
The Hume Highway is a major road transport corridor between Sydney and Melbourne.
The existing Sheahan Bridge over the Murrumbidgee River at Gundagai opened to traffic in March 1977. It is a 1.1 kilometre long steel box girder structure that is single lane in each direction.
Collisions and breakdowns on the Hume Highway bridge can cause long traffic delays. Over the 10 years March 1997 to March 2007 there were a total of six crashes on the bridge and approaches with three head on crashes and two rear end crashes.
The Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) is duplicating the Sheahan Bridge immediately upstream of the existing crossing. This will provide consistent dual carriageway conditions on the Hume Highway for traffic efficiency and road safety.
Registrations of interest for a design and construct tender were invited in July 2006. Tenders from pre-qualified contractors were invited in January 2007 for the design and construction of the Sheahan Bridge duplication and closed in May 2007.
Construction
A design and construct contract was awarded in September 2007 to Fulton Hogan Pty Ltd. Construction commenced in November 2007 and will take approximately two years to complete.
For further information
Sheahan Bridge duplication project manager
Ph: (02) 6938 1111
Fax: (02) 6938 1109
Email: Wagga_Wagga_Regional_Office@rta.nsw.gov.au
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