Aerial view of the new bridge over the Clarence River at Harwood open to traffic

Bridge over Clarence River at Harwood

Under construction

Spanning 1.5 kilometres, the new bridge over the Clarence River at Harwood will be the highest and longest crossing in the Woolgoolga to Ballina upgrade.

The new bridge over the Clarence River at Harwood is about 20 metres east of the existing bridge, 1.5 kilometres long and four lanes wide. The new bridge will provide safer, smoother travel for motorists and eliminate the need for highway motorists to stop while the existing Harwood Bridge is raised for maritime users. Work on the new bridge over the Clarence River began in 2016.

The profile of the new bridge accommodates a mid-river shipping lane height of 30 metres above the water level.

The existing Harwood Bridge will remain and provide access to the upgraded highway and Harwood.  

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    Gallery

    Existing bridge over the Clarence RIver at Harwood open to marine vessels as Pacific Highway traffic flows on the new bridge
    Traffic at night crossing the new bridge over the Clarence River at Harwood
    Looking at the side of bridge across river with town of Harwood in background
    Aerial view of bridge over river with old bridge and town of Harwood in background
    Aerial view of bridge over river at sunset
    Looking south at the new bridge over the Clarence River at Harwood
    Worker getting reinforced steel ready for a girder pour
    Columns and headstock on new bridge over Clarence River
    Girder bridge piece preparing to be lifted
    Construction of the new bridge over the Clarence River at Harwood at sunset

    Progress

    The new bridge over the Clarence River at Harwood opened to traffic in December 2019. Building the bridge involved a number of steps including carrying out driven and bored piling on land and in the river, pouring concrete for the piles, lifting bridge building components into place, asphalting and bridge finishing work including installing guard rails.

    Updates & announcements

    Aerial view of the new bridge over the Clarence River at Harwood open to traffic

    New bridge over the Clarence River at Harwood opens to traffic

    To celebrate the completion of the new bridge, a commemorative community update including images and details about how the bridge was designed and built is now available. Access to the Pacific Highway in this area has changed at number of locations, for more information see the November 2019 community update for Maclean to Devils Pulpit.
    Woolgoolga to Ballina upgrade Bridge over Clarence River COMMEMORATIVE COMMUNITY UPDATE December 2019
    PDF 35.68 MB
    Woolgoolga to Ballina upgrade Maclean to Devils Pulpit COMMUNITY UPDATE November 2019
    PDF 3.87 MB

    Permanent traffic change at Harwood

    Traffic will be permanently moved onto a new local road between Harwood Mill Road and the Pacific Highway.
    Woolgoolga to Ballina upgrade Harwood NOTICE permanent traffic change
    PDF 309.82 KB

    Short temporary closures of the Pacific Highway at Harwood

    The Pacific Highway will be temporarily closed to allow for building to continue on the new bridge over the Clarence River at Harwood.
    Woolgoolga to Ballina upgrade Harwood NOTICE temporary road closures and detour
    PDF 671.08 KB

    FAQs

    What will happen to the existing Harwood Bridge when the new bridge is finished?

    The old bridge will be retained and will provide access to Harwood and the northbound on ramp at Watts Lane.

    Will there be pedestrian and cycle crossing on the new bridge?

    No, but pedestrians and cyclists will be able to use the existing Harwood bridge.

    Will you still need to open the old bridge for yachts when the new bridge is finished?

    Yes, the old bridge will still be opened for yachts, however, the impact on traffic will be significantly reduced as the existing Harwood bridge will only be used by local traffic. Highway traffic will not be affected by the opening.

    Project contact

    For more information about the project contact:
    1800 778 900
    w2b@pacificcomplete.com

    Documents

    Project reports and other documents about the bridge over the Clarence River at Harwood can be found in the document library
    Document library