Transport for NSW, in partnership with Regional Roads Victoria, is continuing the restoration of Barham Koondrook Bridge over the Murray River. The NSW and Victorian Governments are funding essential maintenance work to ensure the bridge will continue to meet current vehicle loads and volumes, as well as the growing needs of the local and travelling community into the future.
Latest news
FEB
2021
FEB 2021Changed conditions on Barham-Koondrook Bridge
Transport for NSW is carrying out maintenance on Barham-Koondrook Bridge from Monday 15 February, to ensure the bridge remains efficient and safe for current and future heavy vehicle loads. The $1.5 million project involves repairing the watertight metal retaining structures around the bridge piers to address corrosion.
More informationWork is being carried out between 7am and 6pm weekdays and will be completed by early April, weather permitting.
Reduced speed limits are in place during work, including a 20 km/h speed limit across the bridge and an occasional delay of up to 20 minutes, however these delays will be kept to a minimum.
There will be a maritime speed limit of four knots on the Murray River during the maintenance work. During this time the lift span will remain operational and the main travel channel will be open during the work.
MAY
2020
MAY 2020Addendum to the review of environmental factors
An addendum to the review of environmental factors has been prepared to address significant corrosion found in the metal piers supporting the bridge lift span, or caissons.
More informationKey features of the proposed modification include:
- preparing the caisson surface where repairs are required by removing rust and paint
- applying epoxy to the prepared surface
- installing a new steel connecting plate, or splice plate, overlaying the original connection.
View the April 2020 addendum REF (PDF, 2.02Mb).
DEC
2018
DEC 2018Traffic back on Barham Koondrook Bridge
Traffic was moved onto the newly restored Barham Koondrook Bridge on Tuesday 11 December.
More informationAdditional work will be carried out in 2019, including dismantling the temporary bridge, adjusting the approach roads and intersections, carrying out urban design and landscaping and removing site compounds.
Due to high river levels, the bridge piers will also be painted in 2019, weather permitting.
Roads and Maritime Services thanks motorists for their patience during this important road upgrade work.
Project team recreate photo from 1904
The project team enjoyed being a part of history on the Murray River, recreating a photo from September 1904.
The 1904 photo was taken a month before the official opening of the bridge.
You can compare the old and new photos on this page.
Project information
Transport for NSW has been restoring the historic lift span bridge since April 2012. The work has included mechanical repairs to the lift span and replacing the NSW approach span.
This restoration work is ensuring the bridge will continue to meet current vehicle loads and volumes, as well as the growing needs of the local and travelling community into the future. Without this work, restrictions such as load limits would have to be imposed, restricting accessibility across the river.
The Barham Koondrook Bridge is one of the oldest lift span bridges on the Murray River. It is listed on the NSW State Heritage register and has to be retained for its heritage value.
The review of environmental factors was displayed for community comment in March 2016 and a submissions report completed.
The restoration of the Barham Koondrook Bridge was modified to include:
- A pedestrian walkway attached to the outside of the existing upstream bridge trusses and lift span
- Installation of lighting on the bridge
- Installation of a lift span maintenance ladder
- Removal of the existing bridge pathway barrier
- Removal of a tree.
The submissions report and review of environmental factors can be viewed in project documents.
The urban design strategy recommends ways to preserve and enhance the heritage and cultural significance of Barham Koondrook Bridge and surrounding river landscape.
The draft strategy was displayed for community comment in November and December 2017. Eight formal submissions were received. We also received feedback at our stakeholder meetings and at the information kiosk held in Barham.
View or download the urban design strategy.
Load limits and restrictions
Given the age of Barham Koondrook Bridge and lengthy detour routes needed if bridge access is removed, the bridge is rated to General Mass Limit (GML) vehicles to protect it from damage from overloaded vehicles.
A single non-compliant vehicle can affect both the short-term behaviour of the bridge as well as the long-term performance.
For all Oversize Overmass enquiries, please contact 1300 656 371.
For more information about accessibility and limits on NSW roads and bridges, see the NSW Oversize Overmass Load Carrying Vehicles Network map.
Project documents
Media releases
| File | Title | Size |
|---|---|---|
| February 2021 Barham Koondrook Bridge fit for freight | 56.2Kb | |
| December 2018 Barham Koondrook Bridge opens to traffic | 25.2Kb |
Barham Koondroook Bridge
Community members at Barham Koondrook Bridge 2018 Christmas festival
Barham Koondroook Bridge
Community members at Barham Koondrook Bridge 2018 Christmas festival
Barham Koondroook Bridge
Community members at Barham Koondrook Bridge 2018 Christmas festival
Barham Koondroook Bridge
The NSW truss span is delivered to the Barham Koondrook Bridge from Parkman Avenue for installation using the lift and skate gantry. [August 2018].
Barham Koondroook Bridge
Workers prepare for the installation of the NSW truss span using the lift and skate gantry seen on the left. [August 2018]
Barham Koondroook Bridge
A truck approaches the Victorian side of the bridge to deliver the new timber truss span built in a site compound on Grigg Road. [June 2018]
Barham Koondroook Bridge
A worker leaves the containment area of the lift span. Corrosion and paint were removed from the lift span towers, deck and piers and repainted.[November 2017].
Barham Koondroook Bridge
A containment area was built around the lift span to avoid polluting the river during work to remove paint. [November 2017]
Barham Koondroook Bridge
A temporary crossing was built next to the existing Barham Koondrook Bridge to give the community access across the Murray River during restoration work and to keep workers safe. [November 2017]
Barham Koondroook Bridge
Barham Bridge waterway [November 2017]
Barham Koondroook Bridge
Barham Koondrook Bridge, Koondrook side at night [June 2017]
Barham Koondroook Bridge
Barham truss span 4 assembly in Koondrook
Barham Koondroook Bridge
Removing counterweights from liftspan
Barham Koondroook Bridge
View from liftspan tower of temporary bridge crossing [August 2017]
Barham Koondroook Bridge
Launch of temporary bridge [March 2017]
Contact us
For more information about the project, please contact the Bridge Works Manager, Nicholas McMullen:
Phone: 1300 679 842
Email: barhambridge@rms.nsw.gov.au
Mail: PO Box 484, Wagga Wagga NSW 2560