The historic Nowra Bridge has entered one of the most significant phases of its revitalisation, with the same specialised repainting process used to protect the world-famous Sydney Harbour Bridge about to get underway on the Shoalhaven landmark.

After serving the community as a road bridge for 142 years, the bridge was retired from road traffic use when the new Nowra Bridge opened in 2023 and is being transformed into a dedicated pedestrian and cyclist crossing.  

Work is now well under way to prepare the historic Shoalhaven River crossing for its next chapter, with crews soon to begin removing the existing paint and carrying out detailed inspections and repairs to the bridge’s steel structure.

The repainting method - which is used across the state’s steel bridges, involves specialist contractors installing a sealed containment enclosure around one section of the bridge at a time.

The enclosure will fully wrap around the work area, creating a controlled environment for abrasive blasting and repainting. 

This system captures paint residue, blasting materials and dust, preventing contaminants from entering the Shoalhaven River and surrounding environment during this process.

Once the existing paint has been removed through abrasive blasting, detailed inspections of the exposed steelwork will be carried out. 

After applying the new protective primer and coating system, crews will then reinstall repaired steel elements affected by corrosion, and replace rivets, bracing and lattice components that were not accessible before scaffolding was installed. 

One of the central spans has been deliberately left unobstructed to maintain access for taller vessels travelling on the Shoalhaven River.

The remaining repairs and the repainting process start on Monday and take around 18 months to complete.

These works will help ensure the bridge remains structurally sound and protected as it begins its new life as a shared path for pedestrians and cyclists.

To stay informed, visit Historic Nowra Bridge repurposing | Transport for NSW to view the latest project update.

Federal Member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips said:

“This is an exciting milestone for the revitalisation of the historic Nowra Bridge as it is about to undergo the same specialised process used on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

“As work continues to prepare the local landmark for its next chapter as a pedestrian and cycleway, great care is being taken to protect the structure and the surrounding environment.

“It’s meticulous work, but it’s exactly what’s needed to preserve this iconic piece of local history.”

State Member for South Coast, Liza Butler said:

“This is a fantastic new chapter for the historic Nowra Bridge and for our community.

“For more than 140 years, this bridge has been part of the story of the Shoalhaven, and I’m delighted it will continue connecting people in a whole new way.

“Transforming the bridge into a dedicated walking and cycling link will give locals and visitors a wonderful new way to cross the Shoalhaven River while preserving an important piece of our history for generations to come.”

State Member for Kiama, Katelin McInerney said:

“The restoration of the Old Nowra Bridge is a giving new live to our rich history in the Shoalhaven, and it is wonderful to see work progressing into one of the most important phases of restoration.

“Removing the old coating system will allow specialists to inspect every section of exposed steel, carry out critical repairs and apply a modern protective coating that will safeguard the bridge for decades to come as it reopened for public use.”