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

Bridge over Clarence River at Harwood

Open to traffic

The new bridge over the Clarence River at Harwood is the highest and longest crossing on 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.

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

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
    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.

    It is common for maintenance to be carried out after new sections of road and bridges open to traffic. The project team closely monitors these areas and performs maintenance work as required. 

    Pacific Highway dual carriageway cover image dec2020

    Pacific Highway dual carriageway status map December 2020

    Pacific Highway dual carriageway status map December 2020
    View map

    Updates & announcements

    Woolgoolga to Ballina Glenugie to Maclean soft soil monitoring

    Soft soil management on the Woolgoolga to Ballina upgrade

    The below fact sheet outlines the type of soft soil treatments, ongoing monitoring and planned intervention work as part of the upgrade.
    Woolgoolga to Ballina upgrade FACT SHEET soft soil management
    PDF 314.75 KB

    Water and flood management on the Woolgoolga to Ballina upgrade

    The below updates outline the requirements for flood and water management during the design, construction and operation of the Woolgoolga to Ballina upgrade.
    Woolgoolga to Ballina upgrade UPDATE Water Management October 2021
    PDF 6.35 MB
    Woolgoolga to Ballina upgrade VIDEO Flood management

    FAQs

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

    The existing Harwood bridge as been retained, providing local access to Harwood and the ramps at the Harwood and Yamba interchanges. 

    Is there a pedestrian and cycle crossing on the new bridge?

    No, but pedestrians and cyclists are able to use the old Harwood bridge.

    Where can I find more information about how the new bridge was built?

    We have prepared a commemorative update featuring key statistics, imagery and information about how the bridge was built here. 

    Project contact

    For more information about the project contact:
    1800 778 900
    pacific.highway@rms.nsw.gov.au

    Documents

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