Lynne Mowbray | The new Harwood Bridge reached a milestone on Wednesday last week, with the last of the 144 girders, being installed. Work on the new bridge is now 90 per-cent complete and to celebrate this milestone Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan, NSW Minister for Roads Melinda Pavey and Clarence MP Chris Gulaptis, took the opportunity to walk on the deck of the new bridge for the first time, last Friday (July 20). Despite gusty conditions on the day, the panoramic views from the deck of the new bridge were amazing. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Michael McCormack said (in a media release) that since the first girder was lifted in November, the project team has installed all 144 girders, including transporting 44 of the girders across the bridge at night and lifting 48 from barges in the river. “Piling work was completed earlier this year and the bridge deck is expected to be completed later this year,” Mr McCormack said. Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan said that once the bridge is opened to traffic, it would improve safety and efficiency on the Pacific Highway, removing the need to stop traffic to accommodate high vessels using the river. “The existing Harwood Bridge will become part of the local road network when the new bridge opens to traffic, providing an alternative route for residents and businesses,” Mr Hogan said. NSW Minister for Roads Melinda Pavey said that after the deck was completed, the project team would continue working on the approaches to the bridge, laying asphalt, installing deck joints, rails and line marking. NSW Member for Clarence Chris Gulaptis said the new bridge was an iconic piece of infrastructure and an engineering marvel. “I thank all those involved in the project for their efforts, which have led to the bridge being built ahead of schedule,” Mr Gulaptis said. The new bridge across the Clarence River at Harwood will open to traffic by 2020.

Statistics about the new Harwood Bridge

(courtesy of Roads and Maritime) Work on the new bridge over the Clarence River at Harwood started in August 2016.The 35 span, 1.5 kilometre crossing, is the largest bridge being built as part of the Woolgoolga to Ballina Pacific Highway upgrade. Piling work to install 117 marine and land piles was completed in March this year. Since November to date, the project team has transported and installed 144 girders, each weighing about 168 tonnes. About 50 per cent of the concrete bridge deck is now in place. The remainder of the deck is expected to be completed in the last quarter of this year. After the deck is complete, the project team will continue working on approaches to the bridge, laying asphalt, installing deck joints, rails and line marking The new bridge will open to traffic by 2020. Additional bridge stats: Bridge Contractor: Acciona Ferrovial Joint Venture (AFJV) Bridge Figures: • About 1.5 kilometres long • Earthwork: 250,000 cubic metres of which 240,000 cubic metres has been completed to date • Piers: 35 • Asphalt road surface: About 2100 cubic metres.