State’s historic wooden bridges subject to review

THE State’s historic timber truss bridges are in the spotlight, and potentially the cross-hairs, of a Transport for NSW review into the management of these structures and their place in modern road networks.

Today, Transport for NSW manages, maintains and preserves 27 historic timber truss bridges across the state dating from 1880 to 1930.

“Steeped in history, the timber truss bridges across our state are the landmarks that form part of the identity of their respective towns,” said the NSW Minister for Transport, Jenny Aitchison.

“They are a reminder of the ingenuity that helped connect regional NSW more than 100 years ago.”

Clarence Town’s Brig O’Johnston Bridge, over the Williams River, was built in 1880 and is the oldest surviving timber truss bridge in NSW.

Earlier this year, the NSW and Australian Governments, in partnership with Dungog Shire Council, built a new bridge over the Williams River, allowing the existing heritage bridge to be repaired and maintained in accordance with the Strategy.

Ms Aitchison said that some communities had reported that the current Timber Truss Strategy no longer met their economic and productive needs.

In the case of the Brig O’Johnston, a brand-new $20.6 million concrete and steel bridge was built alongside the historic timber bridge to handle heavy freight (up to 68-tonne B-Doubles) and modern traffic.

Opening the new bridge allowed the old bridge, located on Limeburners Creek Road, Clarence Town, to be temporarily closed for essential rehabilitation and long-term heritage conservation.

“This review of the Timber Truss Strategy is about working together to shape the future of these historic assets and how they serve their local road network,” she said.

First developed in 2010 and revised in 2012 and 2019, the Timber Truss Bridge Strategy sets out how these important structures are preserved and managed while continuing to meet the needs of a modern transport network.

Transport for NSW wants to hear from the communities who live alongside and use these bridges every day.

“I encourage everyone across the state to have their say about how we can best ensure connectivity for regional communities, while preserving some examples of the bridges that are a testament the engineering and skills of our past,” Ms Aitchison said.

Community consultation will run until 30 October 2026.

Community members can have their say through the Have Your Say website, by calling 1800 167 499 or emailing RegionalProjects@transport.nsw.gov.au.

An updated Timber Truss Bridge Strategy is expected to be released in late 2027.