The New Fitzroy River Bridge project, in Western Australia’s Kimberley region, responded to the critical need for infrastructure renewal following ex-tropical cyclone Ellie. The project was delivered between February 2023 and December 2023, six months ahead of the original schedule. The project requirements included demolishing the old bridge and constructing a new 270-metre-long bridge that is six times stronger than the previous bridge. The project’s expedited completion addressed the challenges posed by the remote location, tight timelines, and a fast-tracked procurement process.
The Panel recognised the rapid delivery of the project in a remote area, employment of over 250 local residents, collaboration with local suppliers, and contribution to the safety and resilience of the Kimberley region’s road network. By achieving an early project completion, the project restored a vital transport link before the onset of the wet season. The environmental and social benefits of the accelerated delivery, minimised on-site time and use of pre-fabricated and modular materials were all noted by the Panel.