Community encouraged to say goodbye to Prince Alfred Bridge

Media release | 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.

The bridge removal was deemed necessary after an engineering assessment of the 125-year-old bridge showed significant structural defects, and amid concerns it could collapse in a minor flood, risking life and other infrastructure.

The NSW Government is committed to salvage what is possible from the bridge and working with the community to gather creative ideas to ensure a fitting memorial can respectfully honour its memory for future generations.

Any bridge piles that are assessed as being in suitable condition will be retained to help mark the bridge’s former route, at a height of 1.5 metres above ground to ensure they are not a safety risk to residents.

As the bridge is removed, residents are welcome to view the work happening at the site over the coming weeks, with safety barrier fencing installed.

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.

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