Motorists west of Tenterfield will soon have improved access on Bruxner Way with the completion of work to rebuild the Dumaresq Overflow Channel Bridge following serious damage in the March 2021 flooding event.
Bruxner Way is a regional road linking Tenterfield to Boggabilla and Goondiwindi, and services a largely agricultural region, with vehicles forced to use a single lane side road under traffic control since the bridge was washed away.
Work started in May 2023 and included the demolition of the damaged bridge and approach embankments, reconstruction and rehabilitation of the channel and surrounding riverbanks, and installation of steel guardrail.
This project was jointly funded by the Commonwealth Government, with Tenterfield Shire Council, Transport for NSW and the NSW Reconstruction Authority, contributing through a NSW Government Tripartite funding initiative. This type of agreement reduces the financial pressure on councils, providing advanced funding and ensuring faster repairs for communities.
Work to build the new bridge was carried out for Tenterfield Shire Council by Transport for NSW and was jointly funded through the federal-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
The new three-span concrete bridge opened in an event yesterday attended by Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery Janelle Saffin, Tenterfield Mayor Bronwyn Petrie, and representatives from Transport for NSW.
More information about Council projects is available at https://www.tenterfield.nsw.gov.au/
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Jenny McAllister:
"We know that the consecutive flooding events across 2021 and 2022 had a significant impact on communities across northern NSW.
"The Albanese and Minns Governments are working together to not just rebuild assets damaged across these flooding events, but where possible to build back in a way that makes infrastructure more resilient, reducing the impact of future disasters.
"The completed Dumaresq Overflow Channel Bridge means that residents and local agribusiness have an easier and quicker regional access."
Quotes attributable to NSW Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib:
"Northern NSW continues to build back its essential infrastructure following the devasting flood events that caused billions of dollars in damage across the region.
"It's vital we restore infrastructure damaged by natural disasters.
"This is a great example of three levels of government working together to ensure residents, businesses, and visitors are all able to drive safely on these roads once more."
Quotes attributable to NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Jenny Aitchison:
"The NSW Government is pleased to be working with our Federal and local government colleagues to help restore access via the Dumaresq Overflow Channel Bridge.
"Residents in northern NSW have proven how resilient they can be in the face of the destruction they experienced in these significant flood events.
"It's great that this project will once again allow vehicles to access Bruxner Way."
Quotes attributable to NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery and Member for Lismore, Janelle Saffin:
"I'm glad to be here today to be able to attend the official bridge reopening.
"Locals and visitors who use this road will be delighted that work on this bridge has been completed, providing access for residents, agriculture, business and tourism in this part of the world.
"As recovery and rebuilding continues, this project is another example of the hard work being done by all levels of government to aid those who rely on the local road network every day.
"I'd like to thank Tenterfield Council and Transport for NSW for getting this finished to such a high standard."
Quotes attributable to Tenterfield Shire Mayor Bronwyn Petrie:
"We are pleased to see the reopening of the bridge on the Bruxner Way, west of Tenterfield, which is a significant regional and interstate road.
"It has been nearly four years since the embankments were washed away in a devastating flood in March 2021, requiring road users to use a detour subject to closure during flood events, disrupting local traffic and heavy freight transport.
"Tenterfield Shire Council greatly appreciates the disaster funding from the State and Federal governments to enable the rebuild and expresses our thanks to Transport for NSW and contractors for their work on the reconstruction."
