What's Happening
New Brooking Channel Bridge to open on 13 November 2024
The New Brooking Channel Bridge is on track to open to traffic on 13 November 2024. The bridge is an important addition to Great Northern Highway, building a more resilient supply chain in the northwest of Western Australia.
This project has offered a unique opportunity to provide continuing employment, traineeships and skills development for many local workers who were employed on the New Fitzroy River Bridge project. It has also continued to support Fitzroy Valley businesses and suppliers.
In just six months, the New Brooking Channel Bridge project has employed or engaged more than 160 local Aboriginal workers, with 42 successfully completing a formal certification in construction, hospitality or security operations.
Smoking Ceremony and community walkthrough
Ahead of the bridge opening, a smoking ceremony led by Bunuba Traditional Owners will take place on the new Brooking Channel Bridge on Wednesday 13 November at 7:00am.
All community members are invited to take part in the ceremony.
Once the ceremony is completed, the community will have the opportunity to walk over the new bridge before it officially opens to traffic.
Access to the bridge and parking will be available via the Main Roads Yard at 41 Emmanuel Way, Fitzroy Crossing.
Construction is making good progress
The deck of the 127 metre-long Brooking Channel Bridge is now in place, marking an important project milestone.
The deck was constructed on a casting bay immediately to the west, before being pushed over the top of the bridge piers. The launch was completed in under a week.
With the deck now in place, our attention turns to finishing works will include the asphalting of the bridge deck and the approaches in readiness for opening in late 2024.
The old Brooking Channel Bridge was demolished in June 2024 marking a significant milestone in the project timeline. The demolition took place over four days, clearing the way for the construction of the new bridge to begin.
This was followed by extensive works to install 18 steel piles, between 5 and 14 metres in length, as well as initial pier construction works. Over the coming months, the bridge deck will be constructed in segments on a concrete casting bed, in preparation for its launch over the river channel.
Building capability in the valley
Currently the project has more than 120 local workers, some who are taking part in construction, hospitality and security training. On-the-ground training has focused on mentoring and learning, allowing for creating an inclusive culture that gives the team the skills to work in a number of different construction and hospitality positions.
Please view our Local Participation Fact Sheet for more information.
Opportunities for local workers
During last year’s rebuilding of the Fitzroy River Bridge, the project saw more than 260 local people take up employment opportunities, contributing over 100,000 hours towards the bridge’s construction.
This year, there will be a focus on boosting training and skills development through paid traineeships. Workers can apply to take part in traineeships where they can acquire a Certificate II in Construction, Certificate II in Security or Certificate III in Hospitality.
Workers will be supported by a skilled construction team in addition to qualified trainer and assessors.
Workers who are interested in taking part in a traineeship, can call Main Roads on 138 138 or email jobs@fballiance.com.au.