Major work on the new Windsor Bridge is well under way.
Preparation works will continue on the northern side of the river throughout December and January with only a brief break over Christmas.
According to the Roads and Maritime Services, the new bridge is expected “to help improve traffic flow and provide a safe and reliable crossing of the Hawkesbury River at Windsor”.
“The specialist independent archaeologists will also be continuing their work in Thompson Square,” said an RMS spokesperson.
“With excavation below Old Bridge Street to be monitored and recorded. This work is expected to be completed by February next year.”
The spokesperson said the bridge preparation includes “earth work, piling and concrete pouring”.
“The barge on the river is being used as the platform for the piling rig which will install the bored piles in the river which form the foundations of the new bridge piers.”
The northern bridge abutment and a casting bed for manufacturing concrete segments which will form the bridge deck is also being built.
The spokesperson said the the bridge deck segments would be launched in stages from the northern side.
They said work would be completed on the section of the sewer beneath the new road. These works are meant to ensure the sewer is protected and will not require to be accessed for further maintenance.
“Crews are also continuing to build the foundations for the road approaches to the new bridge in Thompsons Square … this work is expected to be carried out until mid 2019.
“Work on the replacement bridge is on track and is expected to take around two years to complete, weather permitting.”
No work will be carried out between Saturday, December 22, 2018 and Monday, January 7, 2019.
Community consultation for the project started in 2009. Despite opposition from community groups, the RMS maintains on its website that it has “considered the issues raised during consultation together with environmental and heritage studies in finalising the design”.
