Georgiou, BMD to construct Fitzroy bridge

The Fitzroy River Bridge will be replaced and is expected to open by the end of next year, with Georgiou Group and BMD Constructions appointed as contractors.

The bridge collapsed after record flooding due to ex-tropical cyclone Ellie in the state’s Kimberley region earlier this year.

Preliminary designs for the replacement bridge were under way and site works were expected to begin in May, according to a joint announcement between federal and Western Australian governments today.

Discussions between federal and WA governments about the shared costs of the bridge replacement were ongoing.

The consortium, comprising Georgiou Group and BMD Constructions, will collaborate with Main Roads Wesrern Australia and design consultant BG&E for the project.

An $80 million package for emergency road recovery works after the impact of ex-tropical cyclone Ellie will be provided under the joint Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding arrangements.

Kimberley MLA Divina D'Anna said the Fitzroy River Bridge works were a priority.

The Great Northern Highway between Broome and Derby, near Willare, had been reopened today but access might need to be temporarily limited according to road and river levels.

Premier Mark McGowan said appointing a proponent for the replacement bridge was a critical step in reconnecting the Great Northern Highway.

“The preferred proponents we have announced have a significant experience in this space, and importantly have capacity to deliver these works in our heated construction market,” he said.

Planning Minister Rita Saffioti said the alliance would work closely with traditional owners to ensure cultural and heritage considerations associated with the new bridge.

“The new Fitzroy River bridge is a project of critical importance to the Kimberley region, the freight industry and all those businesses and communities that rely on the road network in the north of the state,” she said.

Kimberley businesses affected by the flooding will also be eligible for more than $40 million in freight subsidies under a joint federal and state governments funding.