THREE companies have received a construction contract to build a new Fitzroy River bridge, after the original collapsed during the Kimberley floods.
The contract went to Australian construction and engineering companies Georgiou Group and BMD Constructions, and international engineering company BG&E (which has an Australian office).
The three companies will join WA Main Roads to form the Fitzroy Bridge Alliance.
The federal and state governments said design work on the bridge is progressing well; site works are on track to begin in April this year, subject to weather conditions and the resolution of environmental and heritage issues.
The new bridge is expected to be operational by mid-2024.
Federal minister of infrastructure, transport, regional development and local government Catherine King said the damage caused to vital roads and infrastructure is felt each day in the Kimberley.
“The Australian government recognises how critical national regional, rural and remote roads are to the economy and the communities of Australia,” Ms King said.
“We also understand the devastation and isolation brought about when extreme weather impacts on these routes and the communities, freight drivers and other road users who travel them each day.
“The formation of the Fitzroy River Bridge Alliance is an important step forward as we work with these communities and the Western Australian Government to rebuild, recover and support the future resilience of transport infrastructure.”
Federal minister for emergency management Murray Watt said the floods had a major impact on a remote part of Australia.
“We knew from the outset that attracting the resources and personnel to undertake the rebuilding of impacted infrastructure was going to be challenging,” he said.
“But the timely reconstruction of this bridge is critical to the entire region, the freight industry and all those businesses and communities that rely on the road network in the north of the state.
“The Albanese and McGowan governments are working together to support communities impacted by supply chain interruptions, including through ongoing freight subsidy arrangements.”
WA minister for planning Rita Saffioti described the contract award as a “major milestone”.
“We know how critical this bridge is to reconnecting East and West Kimberley, which is why we fast-tracked the procurement process, with the establishment of the Fitzroy Bridge Alliance being achieved incredibly fast for a project of such size and complexity,” she said.
“Main Roads and their alliance partners are already liaising with local stakeholders and Traditional Owners to ensure this once-in-a-generation project maximises opportunities for local suppliers and the Aboriginal community.”
And WA minister for emergency services Stephen Dawson said building a new bridge is critical to permanently restoring one of the state’s most important freight routes.
“That’s why we’re working with the Australian government through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements to help fund important infrastructure projects like this that help ensure communities and the region can recover from these devastating floods.”
Meantime, construction of the first of two new low-level crossings is underway.
Adjacent to the old Fitzroy River Crossing, the low-level crossing will enable vehicles to cross the river while the new bridge is being built.
If river conditions remain favourable, the interim crossing should allow four-wheel drive access in early April.
A second, low-level, two-lane crossing 150 metres upstream of the old bridge, which would cater for higher traffic volumes, including freight vehicles and pedestrians, could be operational by May 2023 providing access across the river during this year’s dry season.
The Fitzroy Bridge building works are funded through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
