SAFETY AT THE HEART OF COOTAMUNDRA ELECTORATE’S 2026 ROAD, TRANSPORT PRIORITIES
- Steph Cooke MP
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Millions of dollars in road and transport upgrades are urgently needed from the NSW Government to improve driver safety across the Cootamundra electorate.
Safer bridges and rail crossings emerged as key priorities at the 2026 Cootamundra Mayoral Summit, with local leaders highlighting long-standing hazards that continue to endanger motorists.
Having gained a reputation as the Riverina’s most dangerous bridge, Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke, said the William Bradford Bridge must be upgraded as a matter of urgency.
“It has been the site of many incidents and near misses, and it's high time that the government took the replacement of that bridge seriously on the issue of safety,” Ms Cooke said.
Calls to upgrade the Canal Bridge along Irrigation Way at Narrandera have also intensified, with its narrow width and increasing traffic volumes driving strong advocacy from Narrandera Shire Council.
“Irrigation Way is a critical thoroughfare connecting Narrandera to Leeton and the larger regional centre of Griffith,” Ms Cooke said.
“However, the bridge is so narrow and dangerous that a school bus and a B-double can’t cross at the same time from opposite directions.
“These concerns deserve the Government’s immediate attention.”
Rail safety is also under the spotlight.
Near Bribbaree last year, a B-double livestock truck and a freight train collided, renewing calls to activate the currently passive level crossing on Mary Gilmore Way.
Ms Cooke said upgrades to the passive crossing are “critical”, after a technology trial at the site showed further safety measures are needed.
“We need to see that there is an active crossing with lights and boom gates,” Ms Cooke said.
“The mayor and I will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with our community to make sure that happens.
“A second crossing of the Lachlan River at Cowra is very important to that community.
“They only have one today, and if something happens to that one crossing, there is no way to traverse the Lachlan River easily at that point.”
While significant safety gaps remain, recent advocacy has delivered results in other parts of the electorate.
Last year, a new Wallendbeen Bridge on Burley Griffin Way was completed, replacing the temporary single-lane steel bridge after years of campaigning.
Safety improvements were also delivered at the Old Junee level crossing, where lights and boom gates were installed to better protect motorists travelling along Goldfields Way.
