Work on river crossing dreamed of ‘since the days of the gold rush’ finally underway

Work on a long-awaited bridge crossing between Orange and Mudgee is underway after months of delays due to lockdowns and the discovery of Indigenous artefacts.

In November, Aboriginal artefacts were discovered where a new road was set to be cut for the Dixon’s Long Point Crossing.

The new route will involve a much straighter decline on approach to the bridge rather than the previously proposed zigzagging route.

Geotechical work is being carried out using drilling rigs, excavators and engineers, who will analyse the rock formations of the area. 

Andrew Gee, the federal Member for Calare, said the $30 million project was a significant milestone for the region. 

“It is a very exciting part of the project, because no-one has been able to get geotech work done before — it means this project is moving ahead,” he said.

The geotech work is expected to be completed by the end of January, before the tender process for the construction of the new route can begin.

Working with Indigenous leaders

Mr Gee said consultation with Wiradjuri leaders was vital to ensure any future culturally significant discoveries were respected. 

“We have had to work through some cultural heritage issues, some important cultural heritage issues, and that has taken some time to work through,” he said.

“I think that is really important that the community works together in this way, because that is part of what reconciliation is all about — projects like this are about working together to find solutions.”

Mr Gee said the road and bridge would provide a significant boost to the central west with a quicker route between two of the region’s biggest tourism destinations. 

“It will basically create a new link from the Hunter Valley all the way through to the Central West, it will link the Mudgee region with Cabonne and Orange,” he said. 

Source