Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack announced work on the joint $18.6 million Australian and NSW Government-funded project started in late September.

“This new bridge will be fit for purpose for 100 years, have wider traffic lanes, improved road approaches and a shared path for cyclists and pedestrians,” Mr McCormack said.

The old Lansdowne Bridge was permanently closed to traffic in July 2016 and motorists have since been detoured via Brisbane Grove Road, Braidwood Road, Forbes Street and Park Road.

The start of construction follows months of careful preparation work – including significant earthworks, vegetation clearing, the setting up of a site office and placement of traffic barriers. The work is expected to be completed by mid 2019. 

NSW Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Melinda Pavey said when completed the new bridge would deliver a more direct route for the 2,100 vehicles, about seven per cent of which were heavy vehicles, which used the old bridge per day before it closed.

“This new crossing will allow all road users to cross the Mulwaree River in a safer manner, getting them to their destination more efficiently so they can spend more time doing what they love,” Mrs Pavey said.

“Construction has now started on the new bridge and road approaches and it is exciting to think road users could potentially be using the new bridge this time next year, weather permitting.”

Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor said the start of construction follows months of careful preparation work – including significant earthworks, vegetation clearing, the setting up of a site office and placement of traffic barriers.

“Construction of this important project is now in full swing, and I thank the community for their patience. We are going to get a fantastic new crossing that will improve safety and accessibility,” he said.

“A year of construction work comes with this project, so our infrastructure investments are not only fixing the roads and bridges, but creating more jobs.” 

NSW Member for Goulburn Pru Goward said the improvements to the bridge will assist freight movements in the area.

“The benefit of the new bridge are not limited to safety improvements with wider lanes, better approaches and the shared path across the bridge – it will also be providing access for high mass limit vehicles,” Ms Goward said.

Work will be carried out at the site until completion of the new bridge and road approaches in mid-2019, weather permitting.