Narrabri Shire Council has awarded the construction contract for the Violet Street Bridge replacement, following an Extraordinary Council Meeting held yesterday.
Saunders Civilbuild Pty Ltd was selected to deliver the project, bringing extensive regional experience in bridge construction, including several projects previously completed within Narrabri Shire.
The $7 million replacement will involve the demolition of the existing structure and construction of a new concrete and steel-reinforced bridge. The upgrade also includes improved road approaches, dual traffic lanes, shared pedestrian and cyclist pathways on both sides, and new overhead street lighting.
The project is jointly funded under the Infrastructure Betterment Program, part of the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, with $5 million provided by the Australian and NSW Governments.
Preliminary works, including the removal of existing overhead lighting near the bridge, will begin on Tuesday, 11 November. All planning and preparation are expected to be completed by Christmas, with demolition of the current bridge scheduled to commence in early January 2026.
Construction of the new bridge is expected to be completed by the end of September 2026, subject to weather conditions and other potential delays. A detour will be in place for the duration of the works.
The upgraded structure will meet modern bridge standards and allow for unrestricted access for heavy vehicles. It is also designed to improve safety and efficiency for all users, including motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians. Shared pathways on both sides of the bridge will connect to the existing local pathway network.
Importantly, the new bridge will reduce the time required to remove safety barriers during flood events, allowing it to remain open longer than the previous structure and reducing disruption for the community.
Narrabri Shire Council is providing ongoing support to residents and stakeholders directly impacted by the works, including the local school, businesses, bus operators, and emergency services.
The community will receive regular updates throughout the project via the dedicated project website: https://yoursay.narrabri.nsw.gov.au/violet-street-bridge-replacement.
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