A bridge vital to a supply chain that accommodates 3,000 vehicles a day, nearly a quarter of them trucks, has begun construction.
Situated on the Albany Highway, the Hotham River Bridge near Crossman, is a key carriageway for heavy vehicle transport in Western Australia’s Wheatbelt.
The $15.2 million bridge replacement is part of the $25 million Albany Highway-Kelmscott to Williams Pavement Rehabilitation and Hotham River Bridge Replacement project.
Jointly funded by the Australian and Western Australian Governments on an 80:20 basis, works are being delivered by BMD Construction.
The existing bridge, which was built in 1928, is now no longer serviceable and will be closed when the new structure is complete.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said the Australian Government was partnering with the State Government to fast-track regional, shovel-ready projects.
“Infrastructure projects such as this one get money flowing into jobs and businesses, strengthening the economy and making roads safer,” said the Deputy Prime Minister.
“We are continuing to roll out major projects nationwide under our $110 billion infrastructure investment plan, which is laying the foundations for recovery on the other side of COVID-19.”
WA Minister for Transport and Planning Rita Saffioti said the project would improve road safety.
“We are continuing to deliver major regional road improvements throughout WA, in particular through our Regional Road Safety Program that will upgrade 7,000 kilometres of roads.”
Federal Member for O’Connor Rick Wilson said the new, 88-metre-long bridge will accommodate one traffic lane in each direction.
“The new bridge will be constructed approximately 30 metres to the east of the existing bridge,” Wilson said.
“About 1,700 cubic metres of concrete and 600 tonnes of steel will be used to build the new bridge, which is expected to support about 100 local jobs.”