Contract awarded as Sheahan Bridge upgrade planning project progresses

Source: Contract awarded as Sheahan Bridge upgrade planning project progresses

Media Release: Minister for Regional Transport and Roads

The Australian and NSW Governments are progressing plans for an upgrade of a key bridge on one of Australia’s busiest road freight corridors, as part of efforts to unlock access for more heavy vehicles.

The $20 million jointly funded planning project for the Sheahan Bridge Upgrade project on the Hume Highway at Gundagai has moved into its next phase of development with a contract awarded to provide a concept design for the bridge’s upgrade or replacement.

WSP Australia Pty Ltd will provide concept design development and environmental assessment of potential upgrade or replacement options for the northbound bridge over the Murrumbidgee River.

The current northbound bridge was built in 1977, with duplication of the southbound lanes officially opened to traffic by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on 25 May 2009 when he was Minister for Infrastructure and Transport.

While the load limit was increased from 68 to 85 tonnes in 2020 on the northbound bridge, for the safety of motorists Higher Productivity Vehicles still have to use a permit to travel on the NSW section of the Hume Highway due to the age of the bridge and structure limitations.

These limitations on the northbound bridge also restrict opportunities for contraflow during emergency response or planned maintenance activities on the southbound bridge.

The Federal and NSW Labor Governments are working together to ensure that this major bridge on the Hume Highway, the oldest and busiest highway in NSW, which follows the 200-year-old track traversed by Hume and Hovell in 1824, can meet the challenges of 21st century road freight.

The upgrade planning project will investigate potential solution options which include:

  • building a replacement bridge on a new alignment upstream (east) or downstream (west) of the existing bridge

  • replacing the existing bridge on its current alignment

  • strengthening the existing bridge.

Transport for NSW is now working with the contractor to further investigate each alternative and identify a preferred option.

It is expected a preferred option will be identified for public display in mid-2026 and Transport will keep the community updated as the project progresses.

Rebbecca Huggett