3000 tonnes of rock brought in to protect 'vulnerable' Windang Bridge
In this Illawarra Flame exclusive, Jeremy Lasek reveals the massive operation underway to protect Windang Bridge
A massive operation is underway right now at the bridge linking Wollongong and Shellharbour to protect its structural stability and the 30,000 vehicles a day that make their way across the bridge.
In a notice to locals and people using the lake entrance area, the size of the problem was laid bare.
“We know the erosion is getting worse as each day passes, and has meant sections have become lost or damaged, including sands, jetties and the former playground,” the Council notice said.
At the latest meeting of Wollongong City Council, concerns were raised that Windang Bridge had become “vulnerable” since the permanent opening of Lake Illawarra to the ocean nearly 20 years ago.
In a report to Council, staff said tidal movements resulting from the opening of the lake entrance in 2007 were contributing to significant erosion of the waterfront along the Windang foreshore and the undermining of Windang Bridge. The remedial work underway is seen as a stop-gap solution.
“Council has sought support from the NSW Government to progress a business case to resolve these issues but no commitment has been made to progress long-term solutions to the Lake Entrance,” the Council report said.
Ward 3 Labor Councillor Ann Martin expressed alarm, saying at the February 23 Council meeting: “If you want to have a fantastic shuttle between Shellharbour and Wollongong, you’d better make sure the bloody bridge is still standing.
“If that bridge comes down then we’re in trouble.”
Cr Martin said Wollongong Council should “put a rocket under them" (Transport for NSW) and get the problem resolved.
Bridge structural stability threatened
That problem started nearly two decades ago, when huge training walls were created where the lake meets the ocean to improve water flow. The aim was to improve water quality, and address odour and algal bloom issues. However, there have been unintended consequences, with serious erosion along the Windang foreshore and the removal of sand underneath the bridge’s piers making the structure vulnerable.
The report to Council also said the lake opening had created “significant maritime safety issues at Lake Illawarra…creating unsafe boating conditions”.
Responding to questions from The Illawarra Flame, Transport for NSW said they’d carried out extensive work in recent years to address serious scour, or sand erosion, around the bridge piers which was threatening the bridge’s structural stability. That work was still underway when The Illawarra Flame attended the site on Tuesday.
“Scour protection work, including dredging and geofabric installation, has already been completed on 30 spans of the bridge,” a Transport for NSW spokesperson said.
On a daily basis, barges are being loaded with rock that is then transported and deposited beneath the bridge.
“Last year, more than 3000 tonnes of rock were placed under the bridge, in addition to repairs carried out on the spans in 2024.”
That important protective work, which started in 2023 is ongoing and it’s hoped it can be completed by the middle of this year.
“The latest scour protection work, which includes repairs to the three remaining spans, is being carried out on the southern side of the bridge,” the spokesperson said.
Barges are depositing rocks under the bridge
More than $7m spent to date
“A barge is being used to complete the dredging and geofabric installation more efficiently, and this latest work is expected to take approximately four months to complete, weather permitting,” the Transport for NSW spokesperson said.
To date, more than $7 million has been spent to protect and strengthen Windang Bridge in what is a complex logistical exercise.
The latest work is being carried out on weekdays between 7am and 6pm. There is no work on Saturdays, Sundays or public holidays.
On the Windang side of the bridge, some parking spaces at the Fern Street car park will be unavailable at times, including when work is not being carried out. This will allow for the safe delivery and staging of machinery and vehicles.
The work compound located at the Fern Street boat ramp car park will remain in place and Transport for NSW will continue to maintain the site until work is complete.
