The Nowra Bridge project will improve traffic flow and ease congestion on a major section of the Princes Highway. Credit: Grahamec.

Fulton Hogan Construction has secured the design and construction contract from Transport for New South Wales (NSW) for the A$342m ($230m) four-lane Nowra Bridge project over the Shoalhaven River in Australia.

The NSW and Australian Governments are funding this new bridge project, which aims to improve traffic flow and ease congestion on a major section of the Princes Highway.

The new bridge is also designed to deliver faster journeys to drivers within the Nowra-Bomaderry area.

Deputy Prime Minister and Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Minister Michael McCormack said: “We are keeping communities connected and delivering faster and more reliable journeys for those travelling the South Coast.

“The new Nowra Bridge will build upon road upgrades currently underway in the region and will better cater for heavy and over-height vehicles.”

The Nowra Bridge is expected to make emergency services and community facilities more accessible for residents in the region.

As part of the project, the intersections at Illaroo Road, Bolong Road and Bridge Road will be upgraded.

In addition, a new local road linking Lyrebird Drive with the Princes Highway, south of the current Pleasant Way intersection, will be built.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said: “We are building the infrastructure projects needed to support growing areas such as Nowra, which is why, since 2011, the Commonwealth and NSW Governments have invested more than A$2.5bn ($1.68bn) to upgrade the Princes Highway to create safer and more efficient journeys along the south coast of NSW.”

During the Nowra Bridge project work, the existing southbound bridge will be retained for pedestrian use and cycle path access.

Early work such as utility relocation and the demolition of acquired properties are set to begin this month, with major work set to start later this year.

If weather permits, the Nowra Bridge project is scheduled to be completed by mid-2024.

In September 2016, the Fulton Hogan Seymour Whyte joint venture (JV) won a A$701.4m contract for the upgrade works of Bruce Highway between Caloundra Road and the Sunshine Motorway in Queensland, Australia.