A tender has been released for more upgrades to Wallaga Lake Bridge. Photo: Transport for NSW.
A timeline for rescheduled works on Wallaga Lake Bridge has been announced following months of essential repairs and maintenance last year.
The historic bridge, built in 1894, is on Wallaga Lake Road between Bermagui and Tilba on the NSW South Coast, and is a route used by many locals and other motorists.
Transport for NSW Regional Director South Cassandra Ffrench said the new round of work would enhance the structural capacity of timber piles on three Wallaga Lake Bridge piers.
“Some remaining pile remediation is now required on three of the bridge piers, and a tender has gone out today for a contract to carry out that work,” Ms Ffrench said.
“During essential maintenance work carried out last year, a specialist diving crew installed a new jacket strengthening system to 52 of the 69 bridge piles.
“The remaining piles still need to be wrapped with the same carbon fibre composite material filled with grout, which has been used extensively in sensitive marine environments across America and various regions in Australia.
“Work will require a specialist diving crew working under the bridge to install the jacket system to restore and enhance the structural capacity of the remaining timber piles.”
According to Transport for NSW’s website for the project, these works were initially scheduled for September.
Ms Ffrench said the planned works had been delayed because of contractor availability concerns and to avoid the peak tourism and summer holiday periods.
The delays ensured the most impactful major work was completed during last year’s closures and to avoid further closures, she said.
“By doing this, the bridge was able to reopen as planned to avoid further impact on the community and motorists in the approach to the Christmas holiday period,” Ms Ffrench said.
“We have used the feedback received during extensive consultation for the work carried out last year to develop the best timeline and an approach that will keep the bridge open throughout the final pile remediation work.
“The planned approach for this remediation work aims to prioritise keeping the bridge open during work under a reduced speed and a load limit.”
The bridge was closed in 2024 for two rounds of essential repairs and maintenance, leaving residents and visitors who normally access Bermagui over the bridge to take an expensive and time-consuming detour via Cobargo.
During this stage of the works, however, the vital community link is set to remain open.
Vehicles weighing up to six tonnes will have access to the bridge, while there will be special provisions allowing for access for school buses and emergency vehicles under a reduced speed and escort.
The tender process will take around 10 weeks before contracts are expected to be awarded.
Transport for NSW will announce any impacts before the works start.
A community feedback report following last year’s work is expected to be published in the coming months.
More information on the latest work is available on the project page at Wallaga Lake Bridge essential maintenance work | Transport for NSW.
The community can email [email protected] with any questions.
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