An upgraded design for the Melville Ford Bridge has been confirmed, marking significant progress for the $8.2 million project. Thanks to the dedication of Maitland City Council staff, the new bridge will be elevated 6.7 meters higher than the current structure and will feature a separated pedestrian walkway—all achieved at no additional cost.
Construction will temporarily close pedestrian access to the riverbank, with reopening planned upon project completion. The new bridge, set to replace the existing timber one, is a joint initiative funded by the NSW and Australian Governments, along with contributions from Maitland City Council. The higher dual-lane concrete bridge aims to mitigate the impact of minor flooding on Maitland residents by reducing, or potentially eliminating, road closures during flood events.
Funding for the project has been sourced from various programs, including $2.5 million from the NSW Regional Roads Fund, $1.61 million from the Fixing Country Bridges Program, $2.54 million from the Regional Roads Transport Recovery Package, and $1.61 million from Council.
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