Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said the final girder installation meant both the bridge and the broader Pacific Highway upgrade were well and truly on track.

“The bridge is expected to be open to traffic next year, when the $820 million Oxley Highway to Kundabung section of the Pacific Highway upgrade is complete,” Mr Chester said.

Federal Member for Cowper Luke Hartsuyker said the new bridge over the Hastings River was one of 23 bridges being built along this section of the Pacific Highway upgrade.

“The new 574-metre long bridge will become the new northbound and southbound carriageway for the Pacific Highway, carrying two lanes of traffic in each direction. A total of 150 precast, locally manufactured concrete girders have been used, supporting local jobs and the region’s economy,” Mr Hartsuyker said.

New South Wales Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Duncan Gay said the end of girder deliveries for the bridge would reduce the impact on the highway and local traffic.

“Work on the bridge started in June 2015, using a barge-mounted crane to carry out bridge piling work. Now the final girder has been lifted into place to complete the 15 bridge spans,” Mr Gay said.

Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams said it was an exciting time for the project as the upgrade was really starting to take shape.

“Of the 657 kilometres of the Pacific Highway from Hexham to the Queensland border, 459 kilometres have been upgraded to a four-lane divided highway. That means about 70 per cent of the highway is now complete, with a further 148 kilometres, or 22 per cent, under construction,” Mrs Williams said.

The Hastings River bridge is funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments as part of the commitment to ensure the fully duplicated highway opens to traffic by 2020.