Work to ensure Windang Bridge remains safe now and into the future will begin in the new year.

A Transport for NSW spokesperson said work being carried out would include repairs to the bridge piers and placement of a further 16,000 ton of rock under the bridge.

“This will provide a stable support for the whole bridge in the future without impeding the flow of water through the Lake Illawarra Entrance Channel,” the spokesperson said.

“About three years ago, serious scour around the Windang Bridge piers located in the main channel threatened the bridge’s structural stability.

“Scour refers to the erosion of sediment – or in this case sand – around the bridge foundations.

“Urgent scour protection work under the bridge was carried out in 2019 as well as work to stabilise the bridge piers and prevent further sand erosion.

“Since then, Transport for NSW has continued to monitor the Windang Bridge and maintained a work compound at the Fern Street boat ramp carpark to ensure a quick response if urgent repair work was required.

“Hydraulic modelling and survey of the lake entrance channel and bridge piers has been carried out on a regular basis since the completion of earlier work.

“Survey and modelling data has been used to develop detailed designs for this additional protection of the bridge from future scour.”

Work is expected to start in February 2023, weather permitting, and will take up to 18 months to complete.

 In the waterway, the set navigational channel with two spans of the bridge marked in colours outlining the path for boats will not be blocked by this work 

The entrance will remain open to boats, however, there will be certain areas under the bridge where boats cannot go.

Transport for NSW will notify the community in advance of work.