Tooleybuc Bridge

Transport for NSW has finished the essential maintenance project to repair and strengthen Tooleybuc Bridge which is now open with full 24/7 access from Friday 9 September 2022.

The project team adapted to extra pressures due to wet weather and high water levels in the Murray River.

The team made changes to the work program to progress work in a timely manner, including lengthening piles due to high water level.

The new piles were extended by up to 1.7 metres, ensuring the safety of welding contractors working on the structure

Contractors will remain on site to complete additional work underneath the bridge after it is re-opened to traffic. This work will not impact the community or transport customers.

The bridge is now a stronger and safer structure and at a standard for General Mass Limits (GML) vehicles. It ensures the structure remains safe and continues to be an important link for communities and freight across the Murray River.

Transport will continue to monitor the bridge over the next six to 12 months for any additional work which may be required on the baileys in the future.

Transport thanks the community for its patience and understanding while this important work was carried out.

In 2019, the NSW Government's Timber Truss Road Bridges - A Strategic Approach to Conservation was reviewed after considerable work to better understand the structural capabilities of the various timber bridge types and the strengthening methods available.

The review found Tooleybuc Bridge, which had been identified for removal as part of the original strategy in 2012, was one of eight bridges across the state considered to be good examples of its Allan timber truss type with the ability to be upgraded to service the future road network. As a result, the review recommended Tooleybuc Bridge needed to be retained. Transport for NSW is investigating opportunities to strengthen the current bridge to allow trucks carrying heavier loads to cross the river without damaging the structure.

We will contact the community with more information when these investigations are complete.

In 2013, Transport for NSW started early planning work for a new bridge at Tooleybuc.

The yellow option, a high-level bridge (a bridge without a lift span) downstream of the existing bridge, was announced as the preferred option for a future bridge at Tooleybuc.

With the changes to the Timber Truss Road Bridges strategy, planning for a future bridge has been put on hold in the short to medium term as investigations into strengthening the current crossing are carried out.

This option puts the steel support frame (“Bailey”) replacement on hold for up to 12 months while we monitor the bridge, unless urgently required. The Bailey work may require some form of full bridge closure of up to four weeks in the future however, we are currently investigating ways to minimise impacts of this work on the community.

Transport for NSW is also investigating opportunities to strengthen the current bridge at Tooleybuc to allow trucks carrying heavier loads to cross the river without damaging the structure.

We will contact the community with more information as it becomes available.

Tooleybuc Bridge temporary closure

• What is happening?
  Transport for NSW is planning to carry out essential maintenance work to Tooleybuc Bridge. We are doing this work to ensure this structure remains safe and continues to serve the community.
• What will work involve?

  Work will include the installation of steel tubular piles and trestles at piers three, four and five, and ajacent to Victorian abutment to ensure the current level of service the bridge provides is maintained.

  Following the call for feedback in June, we heard the majority of the community preferred to put the steel support frame (Bailey) replacement on hold for up to 12 months while we monitor the bridge, unless urgently required. The Bailey work may require some form of full bridge closure of up to four weeks in the future however, we are currently investigating ways to minimise impacts of this work on the community.

• When will work start?
  We will be setting up the site from Monday 18 July, with no impacts to transport customers. To carry out the work safely and to complete the repairs as quickly as possible, major work will be carried out from Sunday 24 July, between 4.30pm and midnight Sunday to Thursday nights. This will allow the project to be completed within Term 3 of the school year to ensure no impacts to holiday travellers. We will be working as quickly as possible and expect to complete work in six weeks, weather permitting.
• What did the community say during the feedback period?

  From Friday 3 June to Monday 20 June, we called for community feedback into four options to carry out this maintenance. Submissions could be logged via our online feedback tool, email, phone and post. A drop-in session was also held on Thursday 9 June to answer questions and help community members have their say.

  About 60 per cent of the community preferred shift closures compared to 32 per cent preferring a full bridge closure.

  We considered all votes and comments and believe a few tweaks to Option 1 balances project duration and impacts. We thank the community for having their say and sharing their thoughts, concerns and further background.

• How noisy will work be for nearby residents?
  Installing the steel tubular piles and steel underbridge supports involves the use of heavy machinery which generates short periods of noise, which can be very disruptive. Every effort will be made to minimise noise for nearby residents. The noisiest work will completed by 10pm each night, however general construction noise, such as machinery, generators, hand tools, will continue through until midnight.
• Why can’t you build a temporary bridge to allow continued access across the river during this work?
  We acknowledge the community’s calls for a temporary bridge to limit construction impacts. Building a temporary bridge does not happen overnight and requires the same degree of planning and approvals as any other structure, including environmental, geotechnical and heritage. While this is an efficient way to minimise impacts on long-term projects, it can take more than a year to plan and several months to launch the bridge, adding millions of taxpayer dollars to the project cost. This type of bridge is not a quick solution.
• Will there be detours in place during the closures?

  Yes, two alternative routes for both light and heavy vehicles will be in place during the closures.

  Light and heavy vehicles will be detoured via Nyah Bridge, accessed via Stony Crossing Road and Speewa Road, adding an extra 30 minutes to journeys. Heavy vehicles should note Nyah Bridge has a vertical height restriction of 4.1 metres.

  For vehicles over 4.1 metres in height, Swan Hill Bridge, accessed via Stony Crossing Road and Swan Hill Road, should be used, adding an extra hour to journeys.

• Can pedestrians still cross the bridge during this work?
  Pedestrians will not be able to cross the bridge between 4.30pm and midnight, Sunday to Thursday, while the bridge is closed. The bridge will be open to all transport customers at all other times.
• Why couldn't this work be carried out during the COVID-19 border closures?
  Transport carries out regular bridge inspections to ensure each structure remains safe andfit-for-purpose. The condition of Tooleybuc Bridge’s piers was highlighted following one of these recent inspections. We understand the community’s view that this work should have been carried out during the 2020 border closures, however this work had not been identified or anticipated at that time. In addition, at the time of the border closures, communities. Lastly, if we had been able to anticipate this work, Transport would not have been aware of how long the border closures would last.
• Will the work impact school students and buses?
  During the feedback period, we heard school students and buses were a key priority for the community. The maintenance program has been designed to ensure school students and buses are not impacted in any way.
• Will there be any closures to the main river channel?
  The Murray River main channel and lift span will remain open during the project. River guidance devices will be in place to guide maritime vessels safely through the waterway.
• Will there be any delays to Australia Post?
  No. We are working with Australia Post to ensure mail gets across the river.
• What is the long-term plan for Toolebuc Bridge?

  In 2019, the NSW Government's Timber Truss Road Bridges - A Strategic Approach to Conservation was reviewed after considerable work to better understand the structural capabilities of the various timber bridge types and the strengthening methods available.

  The review found Tooleybuc Bridge, was one of eight bridges across the state considered to be good examples of its Allan timber truss type with the ability to be upgraded to service the future road network. As a result, the review recommended Tooleybuc Bridge should be retained.

  Transport is now investigating opportunities to strengthen the current bridge to allow trucks carrying heavier loads to cross the river without damaging the structure.

• What happened to the plans for the new bridge?

  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.

  Transport is now investigating opportunities to strengthen the current bridge to allow trucks carrying heavier loads to cross the river without damaging the structure.

• What is the heritage status of the bridge?
  Tooleybuc Bridge is State Heritage-listed and will be retained under the 2019 Timber Truss Bridge Conservation Strategy. For more information on the strategy, see Timber truss bridges.
• Is the bridge safe?
  Yes, the bridge is safe and serviceable in its current condition in the short-term. However, the current proposed work and future maintenance is essential to ensure it continues to be an important link for communities and freight across the Murray River. Following feedback confirming the majority of the community preferred to delay Bailey support structure replacement, a range of monitoring equipment will be installed on the bridge to ensure the Baileys remain safe. There is a chance that load limits or emergency work will need to be carried out under a bridge closure if this monitoring equipment shows any signs of stress.
• How will you keep the community updated on this work?
  We will keep the community updated on traffic impacts and work hours through notification letters, social media posts, onsite electronic signage, website and via the media. We will let you know in advance of any changes to this work so you can plan your journeys.
• How do we find out more?
  For more information, contact the Tooleybuc Bridge maintenance project team on 1300 679 842, murrayrivercrossing@transport.nsw.gov.au or mail PO Box 484 Wagga Wagga NSW 2650.

• May 2016 community update

  Tooleybuc Bridge update.

• October 2015 community update

  Tooleybuc Bridge replacement – preferred option.

• May 2014 community update

  Replacement of Tooleybuc Bridge.

• November 2013 community update

  Replacement of Tooleybuc Bridge.

• 15 April 2022
  Proposed temporary closure of Tooleybuc Bridge from June.

• September 2015 PEI Main report

  NSW Preliminary Environmental Investigation Report and Victorian Planning Assessment Report.

• Appendix A

  Hydrology report.

• Appendix B

  Noise and vibration report.

• Appendix C

  Socio-economic report.

• Appendix D

  Biodiversity Report.

• Appendix E

  Urban Design Report.

• Appendix F

  Aboriginal Cultural and Heritage Report.

• September 2015 preferred option report

• November 2014 Value Management Workshop Report

• May 2014 main report

  Environmental Constraints Analysis (ECA).

• Appendix A

  Biodiversity Constraints Report.

• Appendix B

  Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Constraints Report.

• Appendix C

  Non Aboriginal Heritage Constraints Report.

• Appendix D

  Contamination Constraints Report.

• Appendix E

  Geotechnical Constraints Report.