THE heritage-listed lift-span bridge linking Barham and Koondrook will have little historical value when the proposed facelift is complete, according to locals.
One of the oldest lift-span bridges on the Murray River is currently being restored, with further stages of work requiring a temporary bridge to be constructed upstream of the existing bridge, open for vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians.
Since work began on the 112-year-old bridge in April 2012, mechanical repairs to the lift span have been completed and the New South Wales approach span has been replaced.
A review of environmental factors to assess the potential impact of the proposal was displayed for community comment earlier this year, with 14 government agency and community submissions received.
It was stated that there would be little of the original bridge left given the bridge would have two new concrete abutments and other parts progressively replaced.
Submissions also raised issues relating to the effect of a cofferdam on flood water, impact on a Murray River stream flow gauging station, proposal description, design of the bridge, traffic delays, river access, biodiversity impact, impact on the local economy and future or on-going consultation.
A cofferdam is a watertight enclosure pumped dry to permit construction work below the waterline.
Three of the unknown respondents said the bridge should be replaced, while two suggested the bridge should be altered to be either two lanes or to allow heavy/wide loads.
But, Roads and Maritime Services said the bridge must be retained given its New South Wales heritage listing, but that deteriorating parts of the bridge would be replaced “like for like”.
“While widening the lift span would make more space for two vehicles to pass on the bridge, the current design strength of the structure is only sufficient to carry one B-double truck at a time,” the submission response read.
cluBarham chief executive officer, Michael Alexander said ongoing disturbances to the flow of traffic across the Murray River is hurting the local Barham economy and long-term viability of the central business district.
“At the moment, vehicles are waiting up to 20 minutes to travel across the bridge while works are being carried out,” Mr Alexander said.
“We want to see the temporary bridge put in place before further work is carried out to prevent further delays.”
He believed the township has been negatively affected, with heavy vehicles by-passing to find alternative routes.
“What we need is a viable, decent high level bridge such as Mildura and Robinvale,” he said.
“The restored bridge would need continual maintenance in the future, which would cause more disruption to the community.”
Barham Newsagency manager, Tish Conder emphatically said Roads and Maritime Services should have listened to the community during consultation before works commenced four years ago.
“They should have installed the temporary bridge at the beginning. Four years down the track and we still have no easy flow over the river,” she said.
Ms Conder said practicality of the bridge should override its heritage.
“Leave the bridge as a heritage walkway, but just build a new bridge so all vehicle loads are able to cross the river,” she said.
“We are not one of the busiest border town crossings, but we sure are busier than some others.”
“If vehicles can’t cross, or have to wait in a long queue, then they will just turn around and won’t come across.”
Ms Conder suggested that if the current bridge was turned into a pedestrian walkway it would link well with a suggest boardwalk, the refurbished Barham wharf and new Koondrook wharf.
