Gunnedah rail overpass to be open to motorists before Christmas

The NVI took a walk over the new bridge on Tuesday, where it was announced that it will be open before Christmas.

Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson said builders working for contractor Daracon had "perfect weather", so there were only a few jobs left to complete.

"They've got to do some work on the rails on the side, as well as look at putting some black top on top and just a little bit of work underneath to finish it off," Mr Anderson said.

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The next step, though, will be to decide a name for the 195 metre-long bridge.

Gunnedah residents have already suggested some ideas on the NVI's Facebook page, but a formal decision is yet to be made.

"The community and local stakeholders will be asked to suggest names, with Transport for NSW working with Gunnedah Shire Council to review submissions before selecting the preferred name," Mr Anderson said.

"The community will be given directions in the coming weeks on how to provide suggested names for the new bridge."

The local MP said the second road-over-rail bridge in town would mean a lot to many locals, especially business owners.

"We'll be able to get vehicles across this bridge just in time for harvest when we know that many farmers and trucking companies, stock and station agents, want to be able to get their produce to and from market and do it safely, smoothly and more quickly," he said.

Gunnedah mayor Jamie Chaffey said it would help emergency services get to their destinations quicker, too.

He said the $61 million project had multiplied in its value to the local economy.

"That $61 million becomes so much more for our community because it's a local contractor that won the work, who has built this," he told the media on Tuesday.

"They employ local people, people that invest in our community, our restaurants, our accommodation, so that $61 million is ... many more millions into our community.

"Think of the concrete, the steel and all of the other inputs that have come from other businesses within the community ... that multiplier is very significant."

Final finishing works, including the closure of the rail level crossing, remain on track to be complete in early 2021, weather permitting.

The project is funded under the NSW Government's Bridges for the Bush program and Daracon Group has been contracted by Roads and Maritime Services to deliver the project.

For more information on the project's progress visit www.rms.nsw.gov.au/projects/northern-bridges/gunnedah-bridge