Murray River bridges - planning and maintenance

Since the 1936 Murray River Crossings Agreement, the river crossings between NSW and Victoria have been managed and maintained by Transport for NSW.

These crossings include:

• Abbotsford Bridge
• George Chaffey Bridge
• Euston-Robinvale Bridge
• Tooleybuc Bridge
• Nyah Bridge
• Speewa ferry
• Swan Hill Bridge
• Gonn Crossing/Murrabit Bridge
• Barham-Koondrook Bridge
• Old Echuca-Moama Bridge
• Dhungala Bridge
• Barmah Bridge
• Edward Hillson Bridge Tocumwal
• Cobram-Barooga Bridge (old)
• New Cobram-Barooga Bridge
• Yarrawonga-Mulwala Bridge
• John Foord Bridge
• Federation Bridge
• Howlong Bridge
• Union Bridge
• Spirit of Progress Bridge (Northbound)
• Spirit of Progress Bridge (Southbound)
• Bonegilla Island Bridge
• Heywoods Bridge
• Bethanga Bridge
• Wymah Ferry
• Jingellic Bridge
• Tintaldra Bridge
• Towong Bridge
• Bringenbrong Bridge
• Indi Bridge
• Biggara Bridge

In 2012, Transport finalised Timber Truss Road Bridges – A Strategic Approach to Conservation. This document highlighted the challenges of managing NSW’s historic timber truss bridges across the state and the part they play in the future of the transport network.

The strategy identified bridges requiring long-term conservation, modifications or replacement and delicately balanced transport needs and heritage conservation.

In 2018, Transport reviewed the strategy and some changes were made using what we’d learnt in the preceding years. The bridges now listed in the plan reflect the history and diversity of timber truss styles while balancing current and future needs.

Seven bridges which are not able to be upgraded to service the future road network and meet the needs of their communities were flagged for removal. Eight other bridges which are good examples of their type will be retained in their place. See more information and a copy of the Timber Truss Road Bridges strategy (PDF, 2.96Mb).

Pictured: John Foord Bridge which crosses the Murray River at Corowa

The 133-year-old iron lace bridge connects the twin towns of Corowa in NSW and Wahgunyah in Victoria and requires work to replace and strengthen the piers on the NSW side.

Essential maintenance work will be carried out on the bridge between September 2025 and June 2026, weather permitting.

The work will improve the structural lifespan of the bridge and continue to improve safety for motorists and pedestrians who use the shared path.

We’ll be working at the NSW side of John Foord Bridge from Friday 19 September. This will involve the site establishment before piling work starts on Monday 22 September.

Work hours are Monday to Friday between 7am and 6pm, and weekends 8am to 1pm as required. Most of the work will be carried out under the bridge.

Temporary road and bridge closures, detours and reduced speed limits are required to carry out this important maintenance project. The community will be updated about traffic impacts.

The community can expect:

• six planned full-day closures in the work program, weather permitting. The first closure is planned for Tuesday 18 November and will continue periodically through to June 2026
• notice about detours and closures provided on signage at the bridge and on Live Traffic
• the pedestrian path along the river bank to remain open during the project. A small section of the recreation area on the north-east side of the bridge will be closed for the site office and compound
• signage to safely guide users of the shared path around the work site
• no planned work at the site during the Christmas and New Year period.
   

Pictured: The new Towong Bridge was opened to the public in July 2023

In 2023, Transport for NSW, in partnership with Victoria’s Department of Transport, replaced old Towong Bridge with a new, 11-metre wide, 58-metre long concrete bridge, incorporating two traffic lanes and a pedestrian walkway.

The new bridge crossing the Murray River between Bringenbrong in NSW and Towong in Victoria replaced the original 1938 timber beam bridge.

Visit the Towong Bridge page.

Pictured: A new bridge between Swan Hill and Murray Downs is currently in planning.

Transport for NSW, in partnership with Victoria’s Department of Transport, is planning a new bridge at Swan Hill. While planning is under way, we are continuing to carry out regular maintenance work to ensure the existing bridge remains safe and serviceable for as long as it is needed.

Visit the Swan Hill Bridge page.

Pictured: Some initial planning has been carried out for a replacement crossing at Yarrawonga-Mulwala, however the project is currently unfunded.

The NSW Government has confirmed its commitment to the “Green” route as preferred by the community during consultation in 2021 for any future Yarrawonga-Mulwala Bridge replacement. 
However, a new crossing over the Murray River between Mulwala and Yarrawonga is currently unfunded.

Maintenance and repair work will continue to ensure the crossing remains safe and services the community until funding for the planning and construction of a new structure has been secured.

Visit the Muwala Bridge project page.

Pictured: Initial planning has been carried out for a replacement crossing at Tooleybuc, however is currently not a priority for replacement, with the old bridge to be retained.

As detailed in the reviewed Timber Truss Strategy, Tooleybuc Bridge is planned to be retained. Plans for a new bridge were put on hold and focus was shifted to strengthening and restoring the existing bridge to retain its heritage significance while catering for modern traffic requirements.

This major rehabilitation project is currently unfunded. Transport for NSW and Victoria’s Department of Transport have started planning and development work and are working through funding options.

A new Tooleybuc Bridge has not been taken off the table completely but is further down the list of Murray River crossing priorities.

Visit the Tooleybuc Bridge page.