Illawarra Steel To Be Used On Berry To Bomaderry Upgrade

Member for Kiama Gareth Ward MP has today announced that local weathering steel will be used for two bridges on the Berry to Bomaderry upgrade, marking a State first for the project.

Mr Ward said that the two bridges at the Pestells Lane and Strongs Road overpasses will be the first in NSW to be built using weathering steel sourced from Port Kembla.

“Weathering steel is a high-strength metal which is highly resistant to corrosion, as it forms a protective rust layer on the surface to protect it from the elements,” he said.

“This type of steel allows for a 100-year design life and will require very little maintenance.

“The Strongs Road overpass will be a single span bridge with three 55 metre steel girders and a total weight of 90 tonnes.

“Pestells Lane overpass will have three steel girders, each 100m long and weighing 109 tonnes each.

“Manufacture of the girders will begin in 2019 and take about 12 months to complete.

“The $450 million Berry to Bomaderry upgrade will provide a four-lane divided highway between Mullers Lane, Berry and Cambewarra Road, Bomaderry.

“Once complete, it will be the final piece of more than 30 kilometres of highway upgraded between Gerringong and Bomaderry since work started in 2012.

“It will also be the final project to complete a minimum four-lane divided route between Sydney and Jervis Bay Road, south of Nowra. I am so proud of this work and the difference it is making for locals,” Mr Ward concluded.