The new Grafton bridge project has reached a new milestone with the old rail bridge over Pound Street demolished and the new rail bridge installed.

Clarence Nationals MP and Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Roads and Infrastructure Chris Gulaptis said the project team worked for 72 hours straight to complete the job ahead of the first train rumbling across the new bridge at 1.30am last Tuesday (June 11).

“The demolition of the old bridge started at 2am on Saturday and continued until night, when preparation began for the installation of the new structure,” Mr Gulaptis said.

“The trusses for this bridge were already in Grafton awaiting installation after being transported up the coast from Sydney in March.

“The old rail bridge was dismantled and replaced with the 42-metre steel truss bridge.

“The trusses were lifted into place by a 750-tonne crane which required its own concrete pad to be poured before it was assembled over five days.

“This immensely complex task has taken months of planning and is a vital part of the new $240 million Grafton bridge project.

“The project team should be congratulated for the hard work and long hours required in putting together the new bridge.

“These are exciting times for Grafton and I have no doubt that when the bridge opens to traffic later this year, it will significantly ease traffic congestion,” Mr Gulaptis said.

Footage of the works can be viewed here: https://wetransfer.com/downloads/be4de221961f5c73ab76c9cbaf6ea81520190611034910/ef6902aa25e109d7347554d64e906a6320190611034910/a08c27 For more information on this project visit: www.rms.nsw.gov.au/projects/northern-nsw/grafton-clarence-river-crossing.