Two bridges being built as part of the Parkes Bypass project will move one step closer to carrying traffic, as massive girders to support the bridge decks are lifted into place.
The $287.2 million Parkes Bypass project will feature five key intersections and two new bridges, including one over Hartigan Avenue and the rail corridor and a second over the bypass on Victoria Street.
The Australian Government is contributing $229.7 million towards this project, with the NSW Government contributing the remaining $57.4 million.
Preliminary work including construction of the abutments, or bridge ends, at either end of the bridges is now nearing completion and two giant cranes will be mobilised to the bypass site to lift six girders into place at each of the bridges.
Each of the 60-tonne girders will be hoisted high in the air and lowered into place on the bridge supports weather permitting - on 15 October.
These girders, to be installed near the northern end of the bridge add to the 30 girders lifted into place in October 2023.
Once the cranes are set up, a 600-tonne crane will pass the girders one-by-one to the 750-tonne crane so they can be installed between the northern abutment and the next pier.
The process will be repeated on 5 November, when one of the cranes is again used to lift six more girders into place for the new Victoria Street Bridge.
When completed, the 10.5-kilometre bypass on the western outskirts of Parkes will reduce travel time, improve freight productivity and efficiency on the Newell Highway, improve pedestrian access through Parkes and benefit traffic flow in and around the town.
For further information visit: https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/projects/current-projects/parkes-bypass
Quotes attributable to Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:
"All the pieces of the Parkes Bypass project are continuing to come together to ensure the Newell Highway is upgraded to be a safer and more efficient major inland transport route through the centre of New South Wales.
"The Newell Highway contributes to the competitiveness of Australia's agricultural and mining sectors by enabling access to essential freight networks not only in NSW, but also Victoria and Queensland."
Quotes attributable to NSW Regional Transport and Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison:
"These upgrades are vital to better connect our regional communities and improve efficiency on one of our busiest regional routes.
"It will be a spectacular sight as these crucial links in the Parkes Bypass of the Newell Highway comes together, as we move closer to delivering this key regional project with the Australian Government."
Quotes attributable to Senator for New South Wales Deborah O'Neill:
"The Parkes Bypass project is a critical investment in a key regional area of NSW and will help underpin the area's future prosperity.
"This project has supported around 350 jobs during construction and we appreciate the patience of Parkes motorists, tourists and freight operators as they have navigated the necessary traffic changes along the way."
Quotes attributable to NSW Labor's spokesperson for Orange Stephen Lawrence MLC:
"The local community has been calling for a Parkes bypass for decades and I'm delighted to see it finally being delivered.
"Importantly, this bypass will not only ease congestion and increase efficiency on the Newell Highway; it will also improve road safety and better protect our community."
