Council has been successful in securing $2,021,880 in funding through the Australian Government‘s Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program to replace the Humula Bridge at at the intersection of Eight Mile Road and Carabost Road.

The current Humula Bridge is a three-span, one-lane timber bridge with steel guardrails on both sides of the bridge. The exact date of its construction is unknown, but based on the bridge’s appearance and materials, it can be estimated that the structure was constructed in mid to late 1900s.

The bridge, which spans Carabost Creek on the western outskirts of Humula, provides a vital link on Humula Eight Mile Road, serving farming communities and supporting access to larger centres like Wagga Wagga.

The project works will include:

• Removal of the current timber bridge to make way for the new structure
• Construction of a two span, two lane steel and concrete bridge (rated SM 1600)
• Upgrade of the bridge approaches

Its replacement will protect regional connectivity, reduce detour costs in the event of closure particularly during flooding, and support the long-term economic resilience of the area.

The project will be delivered over a maximum three-year period with the initial 12 months allocated for pre-construction design.

The construction of an SM1600 rated steel and concrete bridge with a useful life of 100 years at Eight Mile Road Humula will deliver a bridge designed to the national standard with the ability to carry general traffic, freight vehicles, B-double trucks, emergency services and high productivity freight movements.

Council will work with the successful contractor to try to minimise the closure time of the existing road and access to Carabost and Eight Mile roads as it is fully aware that closure of this road results in a 40 to 50-kilometre long detour.

The project will also seek opportunities to minimise its carbon footprint by using local materials and sustainable construction practices where feasible. Overall, environmental impacts will be carefully managed to ensure the protection of the local ecosystem.

Replacing the Humula Bridge will deliver significant social benefits by addressing critical safety risks identified in the latest inspection, including timber deterioration, deteriorating deck planking, and damaged guardrails. These issues, if not resolved, potentially a danger to all road users and risk bridge failure in the future.

The project will restore reliable access along Humula Eight Mile Road, essential for residents, emergency services, school transport, and freight. It will reduce isolation, particularly during floods, and ensure consistent connectivity for daily needs.

Benefits the project will deliver once completed:

• Improve emergency access, particularly during flood events. In the 2012 floods, the bridge went under water and had to be closed. The new bridge is expected to free up space underneath the structure to allow of flood water to flow through.
• Future proofing for the local community and the industries and businesses which use this important link.
• It will deliver smoother everyday access for residents in the area – as currently only on vehicle can be on the bridge at a time.
• It will allow for heavier loads and larger vehicle to use the road.

Once the planning for the scope of works has been finalised, the project will go out for tender for Design & Construction.

The estimated completed date is February 2029 (weather and contractor availability permitting).

Funding

The total estimated project budget for Design and Construction of the Humula Bridge is $2,527,350.

The project is funded through the Australian Government’s Safer Local Roads Infrastructure Program, and Wagga Wagga City Council.

The Safer Local Roads Infrastructure Program provides funding for projects to address current and emerging priorities in road infrastructure needs.

Funding contributions are as follows:

• Australian Government: $2,021,880
• Wagga Wagga City Council: $505,470