WESTERN Australia has taken the next step in building supply chain resilience in the Kimberley with the new Brooking Channel Bridge set to open to traffic on Wednesday, 13 November.
Jointly funded by the Australian and Western Australian governments the $107 million project, has seen the replacement of an ageing single-lane bridge with a much stronger dual-lane structure.
The project strengthens the resilience of Great Northern Highway, which was critically damaged in the flooding that followed ex-tropical cyclone Ellie in late 2022 and early 2023.
While the Brooking Channel Bridge was not destroyed by the flooding event, it remained a 100-metre single-lane bottleneck and was likely to be damaged in major flood events in the future.
Federal transport minister Catherine King said the new bridge is an important addition to Great Northern Highway building a more resilient supply chain in the northwest of Western Australia.
“Australian Government is working closely with the State Government to progressively replace the single lane bridges on Great Northern Highway to reduce the risk of major disruption we witnessed following last year’s flooding.”
The new 127-metre bridge features two lanes, allowing travel in both directions. It is capable of supporting large loads including road trains and heavy goods vehicles. A new footpath has also been constructed on the bridge to allow easier access for pedestrians.
The Fitzroy Bridge Alliance, comprising Georgiou, BMD and BG&E worked closely with Main Roads to deliver the project in less than nine months, ensuring its completion prior to the onset of wet season. This followed the successful, expedited delivery of the New Fitzroy River Bridge, which opened six months ahead of schedule in December 2023.
WA transport minister Rita Saffioti said completion of the Brooking Channel Bridge provided certainty to freight operators before the onset of wet season.
“The resilience of our supply chains, particularly in the Kimberley, is of the utmost importance to our government.”
WA senator Glenn Sterle said the new channel bridge will ensure that the people of the Kimberley get the fuel, food and other supplies they need.
“It will provide resilience for the Kimberley supply chain along with a safe transport option for the people of Kimberley. It will help the Kimberley’s thriving tourism industry.”
Located just outside the town of Fitzroy Crossing, the project has employed or engaged more than 160 local Aboriginal workers, 42 of whom completed a nationally recognised certification.
The traineeships were tailored to meet both the employment needs of the project as well as the in-demand skills in the Kimberley region and beyond.
Thirty Aboriginal-owned businesses have been engaged on the project, 25 of which are Kimberley-based and 20 are Fitzroy Valley-based.
