$3.3 million Tyrrell Street Bridge opens in Wallsend

Construction is complete on the new $3.3 million Tyrrell Street Bridge, marking an important milestone in addressing flooding in Wallsend.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the finished project is part of a multi-million-dollar program of work underway in Wallsend with the City of Newcastle commencing a series of projects to improve public amenity and the suburb’s resilience to floods.

“The replacement of Tyrrell Street Bridge is an important piece of work in an ongoing process of flood mitigation and renewal in Wallsend.

“The Wallsend community has been hit hard during the past decade from flash flooding. This is why we prioritised this $3.3 million project in what is a long term, generational change project in Wallsend.

“This project saw the demolition of the former smaller and lower structure which was built in 1930. In its place is a 26.6-metre-long two-span, two-lane concrete plank road bridge, allowing more water to flow through Hunter Water’s drain during storm events.

“I thank the community for their patience and cooperation during the construction of the new bridge and am pleased the City is making progress in improving the suburbs resilience to flooding.”

Replacing Tyrrell Street Bridge forms part of the Ironbark Creek Flood Mitigation Plan, which proposes another two bridges at Boscawen Street and Nelson Street be replaced, increasing the flow capacity at the Cowper Street Bridge, and planning for how Hunter Water’s channel can be widened to allow better water flow during heavy rainfall.

Ward Four Councillor Jason Dunn said the project was also the starting point of a larger program of work to benefit residents, businesses, property owners and visitors to the suburb.

“A long-term vision for the renewal of the Wallsend local centre is starting to take place following the adoption of the Wallsend Local Centre Public Domain and Traffic Plan,” Cr Dunn said.

“The plan aims to increase safety for pedestrians, cyclists and traffic as well as improve amenity, accessibility and connectivity for the community.

“We’ll be having a conversation with the community about how the plan takes shape and what the ideal future for Wallsend looks like including heritage preservation, more seating and shade, greener streets and public access to technology like Wi-Fi.

“We’ll also be restoring aging infrastructure including roads, footpaths, lighting and drainage throughout the town centre.

“Wallsend’s flood mitigation project and public domain plan form one long term vision to allow the town centre to thrive as the population grows in our western suburb.”