COMMUNITY ENCOURAGED TO SAY GOODBYE TO THE MUCH-LOVED PRINCE ALFRED BRIDGE

​​Tuesday, 2 November 2021​ 

Work to remove the disused Prince Alfred Bridge at Gundagai due to structural safety issues commenced earlier this week.

Meanwhile, a public survey seeking input on memorial ideas for the bridge has attracted more than 110 submissions which will be collated for a report back to the community on identified options.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the volume and variety of responses from the community so far has been great.

“We’re committed to salvaging what we can from the bridge and working with the community to gather some great creative ideas to ensure a fitting memorial can respectfully honour its memory for future generations,” Ms Cooke said.

The removal was deemed necessary an engineering assessment of the 152 year-old bridge showed significant structural defects and concerns it could collapse in a minor flood, risking life and other infrastructure.

“As we move to towards the next stage of removing the beloved bridge, residents are welcome to view the work happening at the site over the coming weeks, with safety barrier fencing installed,” Ms Cooke added.

Work to remove the bridge, which has been closed to traffic since 1984, is expected to continue until late December, weather permitting.­­

OI Bell Drive will remain open to traffic, with a parking area available for residents wanting to stop and view work underway.

Minister for Water, Property and Housing Melinda Pavey said removal of the bridge will involve excavators lowering sections to the ground where timber and metal components will be assessed for salvage and then stored for later reuse in a heritage memorial. 

“Any bridge piles that are assessed as stable and in suitable condition will be retained at a height of 1.5 metres above ground, to help mark the bridge’s former route”, Mrs Pavey said. 

Consultations on the bridge have occurred over many years and recently through a working group including the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment – Crown Lands, Transport for NSW, Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council, Gundagai Historic Bridges Inc, the National Trust, Engineers Australia, and Heritage NSW.

The separate Prince Alfred iron road bridge which is still in operation across the Murrumbidgee River, and the nearby disused rail viaduct, will both remain in place.

For more information visit Work on Prince Alfred Bridge at Gundagai and the project team can be contacted on wagga.crownlands@crownland.nsw.gov.au.