The Kimberley region has been reunited nearly a year after a vital bridge on the Great Northern Highway was destroyed in one in 100 year floods, leaving communities cut off. It's been a day of celebration for hundreds of workers, locals, and the Premier who gathered in the remote town of Fitzroy Crossing for the grand opening of the replacement bridge.
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00:00 A region connected once again.
00:07 The new bridge almost two times the length of the old.
00:10 It really is hard to underestimate how important the rebuild of the Fitzroy Bridge is to the
00:17 whole nation.
00:18 Eleven months ago floodwaters ripped through the Kimberley, decimating the old Fitzroy
00:24 River Bridge and splitting the Great Northern Highway in two.
00:28 We now have a 250 metre bridge, a $250 million bridge.
00:33 A day of celebration started with a feast before Gooneyandi and Bunuba traditional owners
00:40 reflected on the area's cultural significance.
00:43 For other locals, the bridge works have been much needed.
00:48 With this flood that's come through, it's created a whole lot of devastation within
00:52 the valley, affecting people's lives, affecting people's property, but it's also brought
00:58 opportunities for employment.
01:00 I've been here for maybe over six months.
01:03 I'm the youngest traffic controller, probably the youngest person on site.
01:08 I really love my job.
01:09 The opening is six months ahead of schedule.
01:13 It's a huge feat for hundreds of workers and contractors involved, many of them locals.
01:18 But now these newly skilled workers are wondering what's next.
01:22 A lot of parties involved in this work that are looking to re-engage or continue engaging
01:30 local.
01:31 If they wish to, move to other projects.
01:34 We're always looking at our budgeting situation, looking at how we can fund other projects.
01:39 For now, a critical road and a vital link for communities back in use again.
01:43 (car horn honking)
01:45 [BLANK_AUDIO]