Repair works have begun on a series of bridges in the Riverland region as part of the SA Governments $40 million plan to repair infrastructure damaged in the 2022-23 River Murray floods.
The Gurra Gurra Creek Bridge, located on Bookpurnong Road, and the River Murray Flood Plain Bridges, located on the Sturt Highway between Renmark and Paringa, will receive scour repairs.
Bridge scour occurs when fast-moving water washes away the dirt and rocks from the bridge’s foundations, creating holes in the piers and abutments, which weakens the bridge.
Repair works will be carried out on the piers and abutments of the Gurra Gurra Creek Bridge and the River Murray Flood Plain Bridges to ensure the stability of the structures and to provide protection against future flooding events.
Floating barriers will also be installed within the Gurra Gurra Creek water course to isolate the work area from water vessels. The adjacent bridge spans will remain open for recreational water activities.
All works are expected to be completed by mid-November 2025.
Speed restrictions will be in place during working hours, and some lane restrictions may be required at times throughout the works. Outside of working hours, speed and lane restrictions will be removed.
Once works are completed on Gurra Gurra Creek Bridge, the current load restriction applying to mobile crane trucks will be removed.
The works form part of the River Murray Flood Recovery Program and will support 15 full-time jobs during the construction period.
“The 2022-23 River Murray floods were a stark reminder of how vital our bridges are during a major flooding event and the importance of maintaining our bridge infrastructure”, a Department for Infrastructure and Transport spokesperson said.
“We understand these bridges are a key link to connect families, businesses and communities and we thank you for your patience as we undertake this important work.
“Scour repair is a critical step in protecting the structural integrity of our bridges and ensuring the safety of the local communities who use them daily.
“We’ll work hard to minimise disruptions and complete these repairs as efficiently as possible.”
