Locals, government officials and community leaders gather for official opening of Nangetty-Walkaway Bridge

Community members, government representatives and local leaders gathered on Friday to celebrate the official opening of the Nangetty-Walkaway Road Bridge. It marked the completion of an $8 million project that has delivered a safer, stronger and more efficient transport link for the Mid West. The new bridge reopened to traffic on October 3, ensuring the vital freight route between the region’s agricultural areas and the Geraldton port remained open to modern heavy vehicles up to RAV7 classification. Jointly funded by the Federal Government under the Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program, the State Government and the City of Greater Geraldton, the project replaces the ageing 1964 bridge that had reached the end of its life after more than 60 years of service. At the ceremony, City of Greater Geraldton mayor Jerry Clune said the new structure represented significant progress for the region. “This is the third bridge that’s been constructed here,” he said. “The first one was an old wooden bridge built in 1896... In the early 60s, there was a new bridge put in place there. And at the time, it was eight tonne trucks and a lot slower moving. “Then, as we’ve seen with the advance of agriculture and transportation, the trucks got bigger, the vehicles got faster, and the bridge came to an end with its life. So it needed to be changed up. “It’s a good message to State and Federal governments, that local government can do things and do them well and build things on budget and end up with a great product.” Representing the Minister for Transport Rita Saffioti, parliamentary secretary and MLC Samantha Rowe praised the collaboration that brought the project to life. “This is a really important project, and it’s really great that we’re able to support the heavy vehicle industry and make sure that the roads and the bridge is safe for that use. So well done to everyone involved,” she said. Resident Hugh Levett, who has lived through all three bridges, said it was remarkable to see the transformation. “Who would have envisioned trucks with all those tonnes doing 100km/h on this bridge back then. The fastest truck did about 30 miles an hour,” he said. “Without infrastructure like that our State would go backwards. Very important to have good roads and good bridges. “These are the projects that matter. Nobody gets any feed, anything to eat if these things aren’t working.”