A major infrastructure program to strengthen two of Ballina’s most critical evacuation routes is now moving into its next phase. Duplication works for Fishery Creek Bridge and Canal Bridge are progressing toward construction. The upgrades will significantly improve access, safety, and emergency resilience across the Ballina Shire.
The bridges on River Street and Tamarind Drive serve as essential lifelines for communities travelling to and from Ballina Island. During floods, bushfires or other disasters, the routes become crucial evacuation corridors. Reducing congestion has long been a priority for Ballina Shire Council.
Ballina Shire Mayor Sharon Cadwallader said the project will ensure residents have safer and more dependable access when it matters most.
“These bridges are lifelines for our community during major flood events, and strengthening them has been a long-standing priority for Council,” Cr Cadwallader said. “The duplications will ease congestion, improve travel times and deliver safer, more reliable access for residents every day, and critically during emergencies.”
The Mayor also thanked the State and Federal governments for backing a project of such importance to the Northern Rivers.
Contract Awarded and Design Phase Underway
Ballina Shire Council has awarded the contract for the dual-bridge duplication to Quickway Constructions. This marks a major milestone for the multi-year project.
Under the contract, Quickway Constructions will:
- Deliver two new parallel bridges at Fishery Creek and Canal Bridge, creating four lanes of traffic to and from Ballina Island.
- Upgrade road approaches to match the expanded bridges.
- Improve pedestrian and cycleway connections to support active transport.
Major construction for this stage is scheduled to start in February 2026 at both locations. Completion is expected in the second half of 2027.
Boosting Flood Resilience
As part of the planning phase, Council publicly exhibited the Review of Environmental Factors for each bridge to gather community feedback. Raising the road sections and duplicating the structures will increase traffic capacity. It will also create more reliable evacuation options during severe flooding.
The project forms a key component of building a more resilient transport network for the region.
Significant National Investment
The dual-bridge duplication is supported by $40 million from the Australian Government’s Emergency Response Fund, administered through the NSW Reconstruction Authority’s Northern Rivers Recovery and Resilience Program.
Residents can access project updates and sign up for the newsletter at: ballina.nsw.gov.au/BallinaBridgeDuplications
