A concrete bridge that passes over the Princes Motorway south of Sydney has been repurposed for a different kind of traffic.
Cawleys Bridge at Helensburgh in the north of the Illawarra region was a service road bridge built in the 1970’s during the early construction of the then F6 Southern Freeway that opened in 1975.
The concrete structure continues to span what is now known as the Princes Motorway and is being repurposed for traffic that moves much slower than the vehicles which speed along below it.
When the bridge’s retrofit is complete, which is expected in March 2026, it will allow animals from both sides of the motorway to roam safely between fragmented sections of their habitat for the first time in 50 years.
With the support of various government departments, the concrete bridge deck is being converted into functioning habitat while still being able to accommodate service vehicles. Transport for NSW Director of Regional Delivery and Statewide Services, Matthew Burns, told ABC News that repurposing the concrete structures was “a really great opportunity”.
Tree logs recovered from recent land clearing at the Mount Ousely Interchange Upgrade have been used to create pathways for animals on the Cawley Bridge while waterproofing will soon be installed along with soil and 700 plants to mimic the forest floor.
Ropes elevated between the logs will allow gliders and possums to travel up high while ground cover will offer smaller animals protection from predators. It is expected that creatures from invertebrates and insects to wallabies, wombats and koalas will use the bridge. Cameras have been installed to track the bridge’s new lease on life.
Image: Work continues on Cawley Bridge ahead of completion due in March. Source: ABC News, Greg Bigelow.
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Desi Corbett
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Desi is the Editor of Concrete in Australia, at the helm since December 2013, and our weekly news writer since 2016. Focused on concrete and construction for more than 11 years, her expertise in this field forms part of a journalism career spanning three decades. To get in touch please email desi@corbettcomms.com