Transport for NSW, in partnership with Regional Roads Victoria, is continuing to maintain Barham Koondrook Bridge over the Murray River to ensure the bridge continues to meet current vehicle loads and volumes, as well as the growing needs of the local and travelling community into the future.
Latest news
DEC
2021
DEC 2021Barham-Koondrook Bridge opens to heavier loads after upgrade
B-Doubles operating at Higher Mass Limits (HML) and Performance Based Standards Level Two vehicles operating at Tier One HML can now cross the Barham Koondrook Bridge spanning the Murray River following a $31.5 million facelift, resulting in an upgraded mass limit.
More informationThe capacity increase is a major boost for the freight industry and local agricultural producers ahead of an expected bumper harvest. For more information about accessibility and limits on NSW roads and bridges, see the NSW Oversize Overmass Load Carrying Vehicles Network map.
Project team recreate photo from 1904
During the mammoth Barham-Koondrook Bridge restoration project, 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 in 2018.
You can compare the old and new photos on this page.
Project information
Transport for NSW carried out a major restoration project on the the historic lift span bridge between April 2012 and December 2018. Work included mechanical repairs to the lift span and replacing the NSW approach span.
This restoration work ensured the bridge would 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 into the restoration project 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.
Following the completion of the $30 million Barham Koondrook Bridge restoration between 2012 and 2018, and a further $1.5 million strengthening project in 2021, the historic bridge’s capacity was upgraded.
The Murray River bridge is open to B-Doubles operating at Higher Mass Limits (HML) and Performance Based Standards Level Two vehicles operating at Tier One HML
For 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 | 24.3Kb | |
| December 2018 Barham Koondrook Bridge opens to traffic | 24.9Kb |
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 on:
Phone: 1300 679 842
Email: murrayrivercrossing@transport.nsw.gov.au
Mail: PO Box 484, Wagga Wagga NSW 2560