Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss said the installation of the Super-Ts marks the next stage in major works on the new Wilson River Bridge.

Federal Member for Lyne David Gillespie, who today inspected the works, said the Wilson River Bridge is a significant engineering feat, drawing on the talents of local businesses.

“The bridge building activity is largely not visible to the public as the new bridge is being built two kilometres east of the existing bridge at Telegraph Point,” Dr Gillespie said.

“A total of 140 Super-T girders will be used to build 14 bridge spans across the Wilson River.

“Each girder weighs 77 tonnes and will be lifted by a crawler crane that will move along a working platform on the river. The girders are manufactured in Macksville and transported by truck to the bridge site.

“Once in position, the bridge girders will be secured permanently, temporary bracing removed to enable work to start on building the bridge deck.”

NSW Member for Port Macquarie, Leslie Williams said once completed the new bridge will be 524 metres long and span both channels of the river as well as Dalhunty Island and Hacks Ferry Road. 

“The structure will be supported by 13 sets of twin piers, eight of which will be placed in the river and one on Dalhunty Island,” Mrs Williams said. 

“Each deck span is about 38 metres long and will be supported by 10 precast concrete Super-T beams.”

NSW Member for Oxley Melinda Pavey said the Oxley Highway to Kundabung upgrade is expected to be fully open to traffic in 2017, weather permitting.

For more information on work progressing on the Pacific Highway upgrade visit www.rms.nsw.gov.au.