Two new Tamworth bridges to improve local journeys

Road users in Retreat and Piallamore in the Tamworth region can enjoy smoother and safer journeys, with the new Retreat and Fishers bridges now open to traffic.

In Retreat, works have been completed to seal a 6.5-kilometre stretch of the previously unsealed Retreat Road. The existing bridge has also been replaced to improve user safety and access, opening up the transport network as one of only two major river crossings in the region.

The Retreat upgrades also mean B-doubles can use the road, making it easier for primary producers living in the area to access important livestock and feed transportation.

The former bridge has been dismantled, but will not go to waste, with the heritage steel trusses to be relocated to the Tamworth Global Gateway Park for use as a cycleway bridge.

In Piallamore, the existing timber Fishers Bridge has been replaced by a concrete structure with no load limits, providing major benefits to traffic along this important travel route.

The $3.35 million bridge replacements were jointly funded, with up to $1.67 million through the Australian Government’s Bridges Renewal Program (BRP), over $1 million under the NSW Government’s Fixing Local Roads Program and over $500,000 from the NSW Government’s Fixing Country Bridges Program.

The upgrades were also supported by the Tamworth Regional Council Asset Renewal Fund.

Applications for BRP funding are accepted year-round from state, territory and local governments, to provide flexibility and allow projects to be submitted when they will most benefit the community.

For more information, visit: www.infrastructure.gov.au/bridges. 

Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories, and Member for Eden-Monaro, the Hon Kristy McBain MP:

“I grew up in regional Australia, and I’m raising my kids in a regional area – so I understand how important it is to invest in safer, more reliable transport networks and infrastructure.

“These bridge projects are a great example of what the Australian Government’s Bridges Renewal Program is all about – upgrading and replacing bridges to connect communities and keep our freight industry moving.

“I’m proud we have helped deliver these key projects for the people of the Tamworth region, and I look forward to supporting many more like it, thanks to our ongoing commitment of up to $85 million per year to this critical program.”

Quote attributable to Tamworth Mayor, Cr Russell Webb:

“Our road network is a vital piece of infrastructure to primary producers across our region, and these works not only provide safer outcomes, but also ensure reliability of access which is incredibly important.”