$8.1 million contract awarded to replace Greenough River Bridge

Geraldton MLA Ian Blayney said this morning that works will soon start on replacing the 60-year-old Greenough River Bridge.

An $8.1 million contract had been awarded to Georgiou Group Pty Ltd to replace the bridge which is currently used by more than 2,200 vehicles daily, including road trains travelling between Dongara and Greenough.

Mr Blayney said replacement works will involve the construction of a new steel and concrete bridge which will be some 90m long, 10m wide and around 3m higher than the existing bridge.

“This bridge is something I’ve been working on to replace since becoming Member for Geraldton in 2008 and am very happy to see work starting as it will markedly improve road safety on that section of the Brand Highway,” he said.

“The new bridge will also minimise road closures when the lower reaches of the Greenough River is hit by extensive flooding due to cyclonic and heavy rainfall in the upper catchment.

“I’d like to thank Transport Minister Troy Buswell and his office and the Mid West Main Roads WA office for their support.

“The Mid West Industry Road Safety Alliance has also played an important role throughout the planning period.”

Mr Buswell said construction is expected to start next month and be completed by October with the contract managed by Main Roads WA Mid-West Region.

“The new bridge will significantly improve efficiency for the road freight transport industry by permitting larger combination heavy vehicles on this route, and also provide a coastal route alternative to Great Northern Highway for traffic travelling in the northern parts of the State,” Mr Buswell said.

The existing bridge will remain open to traffic until the new bridge is completed. Once the new bridge is opened to traffic, the existing bridge will be demolished and redundant pavements will be removed and rehabilitated.