Transport for NSW has built a new bridge over the Wakool River on the Noorong Road, also known as the Swan Hill to Deniliquin Road, 37 kilometres east of Swan Hill. The $23 million project is part of the NSW Government’s Bridges for the Bush program, which aims to improve freight productivity in regional areas.
Latest news
MAY
2021
MAY 2021Passing the baton to keep local history
Salvaged parts of the historic Gee Gee Bridge have been donated to the community to keep history local.
More informationMoulamein Community Development Inc Committee President Drew Harris said the group has received two metal truss anchor blocks and four diagonal timber struts, which will be used in a Moulamein Heritage Village project
“We are very aware of the historic value of the bridge and we felt it was only fitting to use some of the beams in our new tourist attraction, which will conserve and showcase objects and buildings that have historical significance in the local area,” Mr Harris said.
“We are the oldest town in the Riverina and we really should be trying to preserve pieces of our history for future generations – so to be able to use part of the old bridge as a functioning part of our Heritage Village is really special.”
MAY
2021
MAY 2021Timelapse footage shows meticulous bridge removal
Watch timelapse footage of the entire five-month bridge removal project.
FEB
2021
FEB 2021Lift off for final stage of Gee Gee Bridge project
It's lift off for the final stage of the Gee Gee Bridge project as the old bridge truss is lifted and piers are removed this month.
More informationThe final major task will involve the use of two cranes on either side of the Wakool River, that will lift the old truss and gently place it on a truck where it will be driven to a nearby site for dismantling.
Motorists are advised the new Gee Gee Bridge will be closed to traffic on the day of the bridge lift, from 7am to 7pm on Wednesday 10 February.
Motorists are asked to plan ahead and may use Moulamein Road and Swan Hill Road as an alternative route on the day, allowing an extra 30 minutes' travel time.
The old bridge removal has required a measured and methodical approach to ensure the 90-year-old components are removed from site without causing any damage to waterways and the local environment.
Following the bridge lift, specialised divers will assist in the careful removal of the piers from the Wakool River. The project and demobilisation is anticipated to be complete in June 2021.
Time-lapse footage will capture the bridge’s deconstruction and will be shared on this project page when complete.
A heritage interpretation feature will be installed at the site of the old bridge at the end of the project.
AUG
2020
AUG 2020Removal of old bridges
Work started on the removal of the old bridge and flood relief bridge on Monday 31 August 2020.
More informationWork is progressing from 7am to 6pm weekdays and 8am to 1pm Saturdays and is expected to be completed towards the end of 2020, weather permitting.
During the removal of the bridges, access to Murray Valley National Park via Chilvers Lane will be temporarily closed to ensure public and worker safety.
Reduced speed limits may be in place during work hours and may affect travel times.
MAY
2020
MAY 2020New bridge opens to traffic ahead of schedule
The new Gee Gee Bridge has opened to traffic two months ahead of schedule.
More informationWork on the structure, which is now owned by Murray River Council, was expected to be completed in mid-2020.
Motorists can no longer access the old Gee Gee Bridge. The old bridge is anticipated to be demolished in the latter half of this year.
An interpretation board marking the original timber truss structure’s significance to the local community is due to be installed in 2021.
Project information
Work to build the new Gee Gee Bridge started in September 2018.
The new bridge opened to traffic in April 2020, when the new structure was formally handed over to Murray River Council.
The work was carried out by Nelmac Pty Ltd, of Yackandandah.
The old bridge was demolished between September 2020 and February 2021
A review of environmental factors (REF) was displayed in Moulamein, Barham and Murray Downs between 17 July and 14 August 2017. Please view or download the REF report and appendices from the project documents section below.
No submissions were received to the REF, which assessed the likely impacts of the proposal on the environmental and detailed the protective measures to be implemented.
A photographic archival recording was carried out to preserve images of the old Gee Gee Bridge that played a significant role in the expansion of the NSW road network and state economy over the last century.
Photographic archival recordings capture heritage structures through a detailed report, including original specifications and a catalogue of photos, so future generations can have a glimpse of the past.
While the old bridge couldn’t keep up with modern day transport needs, we have ensured it will be remembered. Copies of the photographic archival recording are available from Heritage NSW and Murray River Council library.
View or download a copy of the Gee Gee Bridge Photographic Archival Report (PDF, 34Mb).
The old Gee Gee Bridge was built in 1929. It was a Dare type timber truss bridge and is listed on the State Heritage Register. The bridge had a single traffic lane and vehicles give way to oncoming traffic.
The bridge was identified for replacement under the Timber Truss Bridge Strategy, which was endorsed by the Heritage Council of NSW in August 2012.
Key features of the project included:
- a new two-lane concrete bridge across the Wakool River and floodplain, 15 to 20 metres downstream (north) of the old Gee Gee Bridge and flood relief bridge. The bridge would have a length of about 245 metres
- realigning about 1.4 kilometres of Noorong Road
- demolishing and removing the old Gee Gee Bridge and flood relief bridge.
Noorong Road links Deniliquin in NSW and Swan Hill in Victoria, and has been identified as a strategic freight route in NSW. It is also an alternative freight route between Wagga Wagga in NSW and Swan Hill.
The old Gee Gee Bridge and flood relief bridge restricted traffic because they did not meet current road design standards.
The old bridges:
- were narrow, with one lane, and vehicles must give way to oncoming traffic
- were not suitable for higher mass limit vehicles (HML) or oversized vehicles
- could not be upgraded to meet the future operational needs of Noorong Road
The proposal was required to meet current road design standards, remove traffic restrictions and improve road safety.
Gee Gee Bridge replacement
Bridge in flood - October 2016
Gee Gee Bridge replacement
Pile driving - November 2018
Gee Gee Bridge replacement
Bridge project sign - November 2018
Gee Gee Bridge replacement
Bridge roadworks inspection - December 2018
Gee Gee Bridge replacement
Piles driven at Pier No. 10 - March 2019
Gee Gee Bridge replacement
Old red gum sawmill site - June 2019
Gee Gee Bridge replacement
Old red gum sawmill site old car body - June 2019
Gee Gee Bridge replacement
Old red gum sawmill site - plaque - June 2019
Gee Gee Bridge replacement
Gee Gee Bridge abut A - July 2019
Gee Gee Bridge replacement
Temporary Bridge - July 2019
Project documents
Heritage Photographic Archival Recording Report
| File | Title | Size |
|---|---|---|
| Gee Gee Bridge Heritage Photogaphic Archival Recording Report - June 2019 | 33.8Mb |
Review of Environmental Factors (REF)
| File | Title | Size |
|---|---|---|
|
June 2017 Review of Environmental Factors
Main report |
12.3Mb | |
|
Appendix A
Consideration of Clause 228(2). Factors and matters of national environmental significance |
55Kb | |
|
Appendix B
Responses to consultation |
1.02Mb | |
|
Appendix C
Database searches |
944Kb | |
|
Appendix D
Biodiversity |
6.91Mb | |
|
Appendix E
Geotechnical report |
3.99Mb | |
|
Appendix F
Contamination |
28.8Mb | |
|
Appendix G
Hydrology |
1.88Mb | |
|
Appendix H
Noise and vibration |
7.33Mb | |
|
Appendix I
Statement of heritage impact |
20.6Mb | |
|
Appendix J
Aboriginal heritage |
10.3Mb | |
|
Appendix K
Landscape and visual |
10.3Mb |
Contact us
For more information about this project please contact the Project Manager Brendan Maher:
Phone: (02) 6923 6635.