Core samples from beneath riverbed affect Wingham’s Bight Bridge design

GEOTECHNICAL investigations are under way as MidCoast Council moves forward with plans to replace Wingham’s Bight Bridge.

Crews began work earlier this week, lifting a barge and core drilling rig into the Manning River to collect core samples from four locations across the river.

The samples will provide engineers with critical information about the ground beneath the riverbed, helping determine how the foundations for the new bridge should be designed to withstand future floods and other loading conditions.

MidCoast Council Director of Infrastructure and Engineering Services, Rob Scott, said the investigations were an important step in the bridge replacement project.

“The core samples will provide us with a detailed understanding of the ground conditions beneath the river, which is essential for determining the strength and depth of the bridge foundations,” Mr Scott said.

“The rest of the bridge design relies on this information, so completing this work is a major milestone in progressing the project.”

Council is carrying out the investigations alongside other design work to help keep the project moving as efficiently as possible.

The geotechnical work is one of several preliminary stages required before the final bridge design can be completed.

“Geotechnical investigations are one of the major preliminary activities required to complete the bridge design,” Mr Scott said.

“By undertaking this work now, alongside other design activities, we can continue moving the project forward as efficiently as possible.”

Council remains confident the design for the replacement bridge will be finalised later this year.

The current timeline has the project ready to go to tender in early 2027, with construction expected to follow and the new bridge opening to traffic in 2028.

Residents can stay up to date with the Bight Bridge replacement project and other road and bridge works through MidCoast Council’s Roads Hub.