New Brooking Channel Bridge opens ahead of wet season

Delivered in less than nine months and ahead of the wet season, the new Brooking Channel Bridge in Western Australia’s Kimberley Region officially opened to traffic on Wednesday 13 November.

In another successful project for the Fitzroy Bridge Alliance, comprising Georgiou, BMD, and BG&E for Main Roads Western Australia, the new dual-lane 127-metre bridge provides essential transport infrastructure and connectivity in the region by supporting larger transport loads, including road trains and heavy goods vehicles, and features a new pedestrian footpath.

Located near Fitzroy Crossing, the $107 million project provided substantial job opportunities and skills development for local workers, with more than 160 local Aboriginal workers employed, with 42 completing nationally recognised certifications. The project also engaged and supported 30 Aboriginal-owned businesses, with 25 based in the Kimberley.

As the first project under the Western Australian Government’s Kimberley Resilience Program, the new bridge enhances the Great Northern Highway, with this critical route severely damaged by the flooding that followed Ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie in late 2022 and early 2023.

While the original Brooking Channel Bridge survived the floods, it remained a vulnerable 100-metre single-lane bottleneck. The replacement bridge was designed to withstand future major flood events, ensuring continued connectivity and safety.

The impressive delivery of the Brooking Channel Bridge follows the successful, expedited delivery of the industry-award winning New Fitzroy River Bridge in December 2023, which opened six months ahead of schedule.