Brand new $48M bridge opens to traffic

DESPITE drought, bushfires and COVID-19, the project team has forged ahead with the build, supporting 40 full time jobs and about 25 local suppliers.

The new Tabulam bridge will be open to traffic on Monday, September 14.

THE new Tabulam Bridge over the Clarence River at Tabulam will open to traffic on Monday.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the $48 million project was funded through the NSW Government's Bridges for the Bush program.

"The existing crossing at Tabulam is the main link between the Northern Rivers and Northern Tablelands and is currently single lane so this new bridge represents a major improvement - it will mean safer, faster and more efficient journeys," Mr Toole said.

"Despite drought, bushfires and COVID-19, the project team has forged ahead with the building of the new bridge supporting 40 full time jobs and about 25 local suppliers.

"It is projects like these that have kept our regional economies moving during challenging times."

Member of the Legislative Council Ben Franklin said that final work would now be carried out to finish landscaping, signs for the nearby park and removal of the old bridge.

"We will continue to work with the community and Council to ensure the community can be involved in commemorating the old bridge and can contribute their ideas to how we celebrate the new and old bridges," Mr Franklin said.

Submissions may be made by emailing [e-mail] or by calling 1800 314 530.

Mr Toole said Transport for NSW would continue to work with the community on ways to remember the original bridge.

"The team is working with local museums and the school to reuse some timber elements of the original bridge, with the remainder to be sent to a timber salvaging company," Mr Toole said.

"We are asking the community to share their memories, paintings and photos of the old bridge

For more information on the Bridges for the Bush Program visit www.rms.nsw.gov.au/bridges-for-bush/ to include in the commemorative material being gathered for the celebration."

The Tabulam community has expressed their desire to keep the old bridge preserved.

The structre is the longest single-span, wooden truss bridge in the southern hemisphere.

Completed in 1903, it was classified as "historically rare" in a 201l report by the NSW Road and Maritime Services (RMS).