Latest Update
The new Eunony Bridge is now open to traffic. The $10.6M upgrade has improved safety, travel times and increased the bridge rating to SM1600. Motorists are advised that although the bridge can carry a load limit of 160 tonnes, the upgraded structure will remain at its current level until Council receives confirmation from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator. It is worth noting that the surrounding routes to the bridge are limited to heavy vehicles no larger than a B Double.
Existing Bridge Load Limits (per axle group)
Single axle – 6.0 t
Tandem axle – 16.5 t
Tri-axle – 20.0 t
Project information
The full closure of the bridge reduces the safety risk to the workforce due to a limited working area. Having a single lane closure would increase the length of time to construct the new work as works would need to be undertaken on one side and then replicated on the other. The bridge is expected to reopen early September 2020, weather permitting.
Currently the Eunony Bridge is narrow and load limited. It cannot cater for the increased size of trucks that may need to access the Riverina Intermodal Freight and Logistics Hub (RiFL) which is being developed.
The upgraded bridge will be a key piece of infrastructure for the Wagga Wagga High Productivity Freight Route, which will provide better access to the Bomen Industrial Park and connections to the Olympic Highway.
The new widening and strengthening works will make the bridge deck stronger and wider. This will enable the load limit to be lifted so that any vehicle can travel across for years to come. The bridge will have a design life of 100 years.
Combined, the Eunony Bridge road deviation, the new Eunony Bridge, Bomen Enabling Roads and the proposed RiFL Hub, stand to have huge economic benefits for the city. Heavy vehicle traffic will also be reduced from the Wagga Wagga CBD area and the new route has the potential to save up to 36 minutes, or 21 kilometres, on a round trip.
The estimated total cost of the project is $10.6M and has been funded by the Federal Government ($4.9M through the Bridges Renewal Program) and State Government ($4.9M through the Fixing Country Roads fund).
This project is supported by the Federal and State Governments.
How will this affect traffic?
The closure will mean changed traffic conditions and alternate routes for motorists, heavy transport operators, businesses and residents accessing and leaving the North Wagga and Bomen areas. Road users are urged to plan extra time for journeys to and from these areas.
There will be increased traffic through the centre of Wagga Wagga along the Sturt Highway to the Bomen Industrial Park and connections to the Olympic Highway. Most traffic will divert along the Olympic Highway and across the Gobbagombalin Bridge to access Bomen from the west.
What are the key benefits of the upgrade?
- Upgrade will create a new route for HML vehicles, reducing heavy vehicle traffic in Wagga Wagga CBD
- New route has the potential to save up to 36 minutes or 21 kilometres for HML vehicles on a round trip (HML Vehicles include six-axle semi-trailers, B-Doubles, B-Triples, Type 1A-Double road trains and AB Triples)
- Bridge will conform to a rating SM1600
- Upgraded infrastructure will integrate with existing transport networks
- Bridge will be a key link for the Wagga Wagga High Productivity Freight Route linking the Olympic Highway to the Bomen Business Park and Riverina Intermodal Freight & Logistics (RiFL) Hub
- Build capacity for future growth – heavy vehicle traffic is expected to grow by 45% between 2013 and 2025
Start of Eunony Bridge Road Deviation Project - November 2014 → November 2014
Process towards upgrading the links between the Sturt Highway and Bomen Industrial Park starts with commencement of Eunony Bridge Road Deviation Project.
Completion of Eunony Bridge Road Deviation Project - July 2015 → July 2015
Funding announcement of $4.9M from State Government - June 2016 → June 2016
Funding announcement of $4.9M from Federal Government - December 2016 → December 2016
Tenders Called - March 2017 → March 2017
Tenders called for detailed designs for Eunony Bridge Hub program, which will allow Higher Mass Limit (HML) vehicles to cross.
Eunony Bridge closed for upgrades - February 2020 → September 2020
Eunony Bridge works are nearing completion, with an expected reopening date of early September 2020, weather permitting.
Eunony Bridge open - September 2020
Eunony Bridge open to traffic
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