The community is being invited to share stories of the historic Nowra Bridge as the first stage of repairs on the Shoalhaven River crossing continues ahead of its new life as a pedestrian and cyclist path.

After 142 years of service, the bridge was retired from road traffic use when the new Nowra Bridge opened.

The historic landmark is being retained due to its historical significance, heritage value, community support, and expected benefits to the area.

Repairing and repurposing the bridge to ensure its future longevity is a significant task, with the first stage focused on repairing the truss structure.

Crews have been removing damaged and corroded elements for repairs, including 1500 rivets by hand, replacing rosette style diagonal bracing washers, and propping and removing end truss lattices.

An innovative method was successfully trialed to remove the cantilever pedestrian walkway, which was added to the historic bridge in 1980.

A crane mounted on a truck was used to carefully manoeuvre large sections of the walkway, each weighing more than three tonnes, through the bridge trusses.

This approach means the walkway can be dismantled directly from the bridge deck, avoiding complex marine operations and delivering cost savings.

Crews will continue removing the remaining cantilever pedestrian walkway sections later this year after moving into stage two of the work, which will include installing scaffolding beneath the bridge ahead of repainting.

Over the next few months, the team will continue repairs, remove and replace services, utilities and concrete barriers, and start procurement for repainting.

In the first half of next year, stage three is expected to begin. This will involve abrasive blasting to remove existing paint, requiring sections of the bridge to be wrapped to prevent contaminants entering the river below. The process, expected to take around 18 months, will include strict environmental controls.

The final stage will involve pier strengthening and the installation of new lighting, handrails, street furniture and other shared path features.

The repair and repurposing work is being carried out with $20 million in funding as part of the Australian and NSW Government’s $364 million Nowra Bridge project.

Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips said the project was about investing in Shoalhaven’s future while respecting the past.

"The Nowra Bridge has carried generations of locals across the river, and I’m delighted the Albanese Labor Government has partnered with NSW to preserve it as a shared community space," she said.

“As a kid growing up in Nowra, when you drove over the bridge, you knew you were home.

“I look forward to hearing interesting stories about the bridge from over the years and urge people to get involved in this project which will preserve the history of the bridge for generations to come.

“Projects like this not only celebrate our heritage but also boost local jobs and tourism opportunities.

“It’s such an iconic local landmark and I’m really looking forward to seeing it transformed into a wonderful asset the whole community can enjoy.”

State Member for South Coast Liza Butler added that she saw Nowra Bridge as "part of the fabric of our community" and "a vital connection for more than a century".

"I’m proud that it will continue to have a role in our future, as a safe and accessible space for pedestrians and cyclists.

“This project is about preserving our history while adapting the bridge for modern needs.

"Locals and visitors alike will be able to enjoy the bridge in a whole new way, as a place to walk, cycle, and reflect on its remarkable story.”

“I encourage everyone in the community to share their memories and stories of the bridge, so this important piece of Shoalhaven’s history can be celebrated for generations to come.”

Incoming Kiama MP Katelin McInerney said she was “excited to see it given new life for future generations to enjoy”.

Local residents are encouraged to share their memories and stories of the historic bridge by emailing [email protected].