New bridge to make truck travel safer

Orange mayor John Davis has welcomed the NSW Government announcement of funding to build a new bridge over the railway line in Forest Road.

“The NSW Government announcement of $1.25 million matches the earlier announcement of funding from the Australian government.”

“This $2.5 million project will be a major boost to a key north-south transport link for Orange residents,” Cr John David said.

“At the moment due to the tight bend on the existing bridge if two heavy vehicles meet they cannot pass.”

“Cr Davis said the new bridge will be re-aligned to make it simpler for heavy transport to use the bridge.”

The project is now in its final design stages and negotiations are continuing with John Holland Rail over the details of the project.

“It’s expected work would begin early in the new year,” Cr David said.

The bridge works is part of a $4.3 million package for three projects in the central west region, announced by NSW parliamentary secretary Sarah Mitchell.

The funding is from round two of the Fixing Country Roads initiative, which is aimed at removing freight pinch points in regional NSW.

The remaining projects include upgrades to Middle Trundle Road in the Parkes Shire and an upgrade to the route between the Newell Highway and a grain handling facility at Wirrinya.

Ms Mitchell said the upgrade will open up a new Higher Mass Limit capable road train route and provide a more direct route for producers accessing rail to port, with distance savings of up to 37km per trip.

“The NSW Government is investing historic levels of funding to build better infrastructure right across NSW, and it’s great to see local communities in the Orange electorate benefitting from programs like Fixing Country Roads,” Ms Mitchell said.

“260 million tonnes of freight are moved across regional NSW each year – improving the way we do this is vital to supporting continued growth across the state.

BRIDGING; The new bridge on Forest Road will make travel safer and easier for large vehicles like this bus.