EMERGENCY CLOSURE OF BUNNERUNGEE CREEK BRIDGE – SILVER CITY HIGHWAY

Motorists are advised of changed traffic conditions on Bunnerungee Creek Bridge, 65 kilometres north of Wentworth.

A structural defect has been identified following a routine bridge inspection, resulting in the closure of the bridge until further notice.

A specialist bridge team is investigating and assessing the damage while working on a solution. The community will be kept informed as information comes available.

Through road users will be detoured via Hay and Wilcania on the Sturt Hwy, Cobb highway, Barrier Hwy  adding an additional 9 hours travel time to the journey.

The Silver City Highway is closed between Broken Hill and Wentworth to through traffic. Road closure points at Broken Hill and Wentworth are being manned 24hrs by traffic control staff providing information to approaching motorists.

Local traffic is still able to access the Silver City Hwy either side of the Bunnerungee Bridge, with a second closure located at the bridge to prevent vehicle access.

Roads & Maritime Services are currently deploying Variable Message Boards at key intersections and critical decision points on the State Road network to provide motorists increased notice of the closure and associated detour route. Some of this temporary infrastructure is located in the immediate surroundings of Hay 2711.

To improve heavy vehicle access on the detour route, the bridge over the Murrumbidgee River on the Cobb Highway immediately South Hay has been temporarily opened to B Triple & AB-triple heavy vehicles. To facilitate this movement, the bridge has been reduced to a single lane under traffic lights and reduced speeds to reduce impacts on the structure.

Motorists and agencies are advised that fuel and accommodation options are limited on the detour route and to plan travel movements accordingly.

For the latest traffic updates download the Live Traffic NSW App, visit livetraffic.com or call 132 701.

Detour Route - https://goo.gl/maps/Whos87KyUB96Ed8o9