NEW ROUSE ROAD BRIDGE TO START TAKING SHAPE

THE new $7 million Rouse Road Bridge in Rouse Hill is now around three quarters complete following installation of the massive girders that form the new bridge’s superstructure.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Michael McCormack said the Australian Government was investing $3.5 million in the project under Round 2 of the Bridges Renewal Program, with Blacktown City Council to match the contribution and oversee the construction of the bridge.

“This is an example of how the Australian Government is assisting local councils to better connect communities nationwide under the Bridges Renewal Program and our record $75 billion infrastructure investment more broadly,” Mr McCormack said.

Liberal Senator for Western Sydney and Minister for Defence, Marise Payne, who announced the funding in 2016, said the new bridge would replace the existing flood-prone causeway at Rouse Road.

“This project will bring welcome relief to the local community, particularly the Rouse Hill Anglican College, which has long endured inconvenience and safety issues around the causeway during heavy rain,” Senator Payne said.

Blacktown City Mayor Stephen Bali said construction of the bridge would solve a real problem in the area.

“It will serve the needs of the expanding community in this new growth centre precinct,” Cr Bali said.

“Blacktown City Council has had the bridge planned for some time, but needed to wait for available funding and the federal grant, made under the Bridges Renewal Program, enabled the work to be fast-tracked.”

Shane Manning