The new 545 metre bridge will connect the western shore of the Macquarie River to River Street, travelling over the flood plain west of the river. The New Dubbo Bridge project will also include:

• New and upgraded intersections at Thompson Street, Whylandra Street, and the Newell Highway
• Realigning the Newell Highway with new separated lanes north of Whylandra Street
• Upgrading the intersection at Bourke Street and River Street.

Full funding for the New Dubbo Bridge project has been confirmed, comprising of $176 million from the Australian Government and $44 million from the NSW Government.

The project is currently in the detailed design stage. During this stage the concept design features are further developed and detailed to enable a final set of drawings to be completed in preparation for construction.

Transport for NSW will continue to consult with the community during each phase of the project.

The project will provide significant employment opportunities as well as local and regional benefits to the Central West when major work is set to start to commence in 2022.

All submissions from the community and stakeholders were reviewed, considered and responded to in the New Dubbo Bridge Submissions Report. In response to submissions and following further design development since the display of the REF, changes to the concept design have been made.

The changes are listed below:

• Increasing the posted speed limit from 60 km/h to 70 km/h from the merging lane of the northbound slip lane on the new main alignment on the approach to the River Street / Bourke Street intersection
• The flood bypass between Thompson Street and the new main alignment has been changed to a permanent northbound slip lane, with a posted speed limit of 60 km/h. During non-flood periods, it will operate as a single lane, one-way link between Thompson Street and the Newell Highway. During flood events when the Thompson Street/Whylandra Street intersection is flooded, it will operate as a flood detour. The flood detour will be two lanes, with one southbound and one northbound lane, with a posted speed limit of 40 km/h (under traffic control)
• Addition of a line marked pedestrian crossing on Thompson Street with kerb ramps to cross the northbound slip lane
• Extension of the southern footpath on River Street to Brisbane Street and connection to the existing pedestrian facilities about 400 metres south of River Street
• Changes to the location of the proposed construction ancillary facility (number 3) on the eastern side of the Macquarie River to provide greater flexibility to the construction contractor
• The one-metre wide centre line has been removed, resulting in an overall width reduction of the new main alignment and the New Dubbo Bridge.

Feedback on the REF and concept design has been considered during the determination of the REF and finalisation of the Submissions Report. The determination of the REF is the confirmation that the project meets all environmental requirements.

The determination allows Transport for NSW to continue the planning for the River Street Bridge project, including starting the detailed design. Transport for NSW will continue to consult with the community and stakeholders before and during the construction phase, which is expected to start in 2022.

We are committed to keeping the community and stakeholders informed as the project progresses. Where a decision is made to proceed with the proposal, Transport for NSW will continue to consult with the community and stakeholders before and during the construction phase.

The Review of Environmental Factors (REF) assesses the potential social and environmental impacts of the project and identifies ways to minimise these impacts. View or download a copy of of the REF main report. The full report is on the project documents page.