Nowra Bridge

Bridge in New South Wales, Australia

34°51′51″S 150°36′07″E / 34.86417°S 150.60194°E / -34.86417; 150.60194CarriesPrinces Highway

CrossesShoalhaven RiverLocaleNowra, New South Wales, AustraliaBeginsNorth Nowra (north)EndsNowra (south)OwnerTransport for NSWCharacteristicsDesignTruss bridgeMaterialSteelTotal length309 metres (1,013 ft)No. of lanes2HistoryDesignerCharles Shaler SmithFabrication byEdge Moor Iron CompanyConstruction end1881Replaced byConcrete bridge
(concurrent use; northbound)StatisticsDaily traffic51,000 (August 2019)

New South Wales Heritage Database
(Local Government Register)

Official nameNowra Bridge over the Shoalhaven RiverTypeLocal heritage (built)TypeRoad BridgeCategoryTransport – LandBuildersEdge Moor Iron Co. Location Map

References^[1]

The Nowra Bridge is a road bridge that carries the Princes Highway over the Shoalhaven River, at Nowra, New South Wales, Australia. The bridge joins the main area of Nowra to North Nowra and Bomaderry.

Description

The bridge was originally intended to carry a double railway track, as part of the proposed extension of the Illawarra railway line to Jervis Bay and possibly Eden. Due to material shortages during the First World War, the railway was never extended past Bomaderry station where trains still terminate today, so the bridge was converted for road traffic, as the residents of Nowra wanted a road bridge that connected Bomaderry to Nowra.^[2]

The bridge was designed by American engineer Charles Shaler Smith and is considered to be of local historical significance.^[1] The bridge was completed in 1881 and is built from wrought iron with a steel approach span. The bridge had a timber deck for 100 years until in 1981 reinforced concrete was laid over steel Armco decking. The pairs of cast iron piers are original and were supplied locally by the Atlas Foundry, Sydney. It was the largest bridge project in New South Wales prior to the 1889 Hawkesbury River Railway Bridge. Its full length is 342 metres (1,122 ft).^[1]

Second bridge

In December 1981, a three lane concrete bridge opened to the west of the original bridge. It carried northbound traffic with the original bridge reconfigured to carry southbound traffic.^[3]^[4]

Third bridge

In August 2019 Infrastructure Australia approved the construction of a new four-lane bridge immediately to the west of the existing bridges. The new bridge will become the new crossing for northbound traffic. The existing northbound bridge will be converted for southbound traffic, allowing the bridge built in 1881 to be re-purposed as a pedestrian and cycle bridge.^[5] Funding to be shared between the Federal and New South Wales governments.^[6] Fulton Hogan commenced work in early 2020 and is expected to be completed in 2024.^[7]^[8] In February 2023 the new bridge opened, initially carrying traffic in both directions while the 1981 built bridge is refurbished.^[9]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c "Nowra Bridge over the Shoalhaven River". New South Wales Heritage Database. Office of Environment & Heritage. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
^ Nowra Bridge EHA Magazine January 2020 pages 6-12
^ Two new routes on the South Coast Main Roads December 1981 page 125
^ "Piling begins for new Nowra Bridge". Roads & Maritime Services. 25 November 2020. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
^ "Nowra Bridge". Infrastructure Australia. Australian Government. 23 August 2019. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
^ "New Nowra Bridge". Infrastructure Partnerships Australia. 28 February 2020. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
^ Nowra Bridge project Transport for NSW
^ Contract awarded for new Nowra Bridge Transport for NSW 12 February 2020
^ New Nowra bridge opens, but locals doubt it's the key to easing South Coast holiday gridlock ABC News 24 February 2023