Early work to replace the Warroo Bridge over the Lachlan River between Forbes and Condobolin will start in September with preliminary earthworks on both approaches to the future bridge.
The NSW Government has committed to replacing the ageing timber truss bridge with a new concrete bridge that will boost transport efficiency and reliability in the region.
Transport for NSW Director West Alistair Lunn said the existing bridge on Warroo Bridge Road was built in 1909 and is now in poor condition and not suitable for use by modern agricultural equipment or heavy vehicles with Higher Mass Limit (HML) loads.
“Unfortunately, preserving the existing bridge is not a viable option. The best outcome for all road users in the area, and particularly freight operators, is to build a new concrete bridge just a few metres upstream, along with new approach roads on either side,” Mr Lunn said.
“Warroo Bridge is the only major crossing of the Lachlan River between Forbes and Condobolin that links Lachlan Valley Way and Henry Parkes Way, and is used by local traffic, tourists and vital regional freight operators.
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“When the existing bridge is closed for maintenance, motorists are faced with a 93-kilometre detour to travel from one side of the river to the other. The new bridge will eliminate this frustrating inconvenience.
“Once completed, the new Warroo Bridge will deliver a smoother ride for all road users, improved safety through wider lanes and better road approaches, increased load capacity for heavy vehicles, improved access for wide vehicles, and reduced ongoing maintenance costs and closures.”
Preliminary earthworks to start on Monday 9 September will mean some changed traffic conditions for motorists in the area.
Work hours will be 7am to 6pm from Monday to Saturday, with no work on Sundays and public holidays.
Traffic control and a reduced speed limit of 80 km/h will be in place on Lachlan Valley Way from the intersection with Warroo Road during work hours.
A reduced speed limit of 40 km/h will also be in place on Warroo Bridge Road during work hours, with intermittent stop/slow traffic control required at times. The speed limit will return to the posted speed outside of work hours.
“All motorists are reminded to keep to the reduced speed limits, follow the directions of traffic controllers and signs throughout this work, and allow up to five minutes of extra travel time,” Mr Lunn said.
Preliminary earthworks will take about eight weeks to complete, weather permitting.
Tenders for building the new Warroo Bridge were called in June 2024 and closed on Monday August 26. Bridge construction is expected to start by mid-2025 after a successful tenderer has been selected and the contract is awarded.
Transport for NSW will continue communicating with the community as the Warroo Bridge replacement project progresses.
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