maintenance

Timber Truss road bridges

Morpeth Bridge

Roads and Maritime Services (formerly Roads and Traffic Authority) has developed a new strategy for the sustainable conservation of heritage timber truss bridges.  A report outlining this proposed strategy has been prepared by Roads and Maritime Services (formerly Roads and Traffic Authority) .

The community was invited to comment on the strategy from 18 July until 26 August 2011.

Roads and Maritime Services (formerly Roads and Traffic Authority) is preparing a report for the Heritage Council, collating all of the issues raised in submissions received during the consultation period.

BACKGROUND

Roads and Maritime Services (formerly Roads and Traffic Authority) manages 48 of the State's 63 remaining timber truss bridges. Built between about 1860 and 1936, these bridges represent an important part of the heritage of NSW, with 29 currently listed on the State Heritage Register.

Managing these historic assets into the future presents a significant challenge. Issues include load carrying capacity, narrow bridge width, poor access and frequent and very expensive ongoing maintenance needs.

STRATEGIC APPROACH

In balancing future transport needs with heritage conservation, Roads and Maritime Services (formerly Roads and Traffic Authority) has researched and identified those timber truss bridges that require either:

  • Long-term conservation.
  • Conservation with modifications.
  • Replacement.

Of the 48 bridges under Roads and Maritime Services (formerly Roads and Traffic Authority) management, Roads and Maritime Services (formerly Roads and Traffic Authority) is proposing to retain 25 bridges that would reflect the history and diversity of timber truss style bridges. It is proposed 23 timber truss bridges be replaced with a modern bridge.

Roads and Maritime Services (formerly Roads and Traffic Authority) is also proposing the removal of 12 bridges from the State Heritage Register and the addition of three. A formal application will be made to the Heritage Council by Roads and Maritime Services (formerly Roads and Traffic Authority) following this community consultation process.

HERITAGE COUNCIL CONSULTATION

Roads and Maritime Services (formerly Roads and Traffic Authority) has developed this strategy in discussion with the Heritage Council and heritage groups on the Roads and Maritime Services (formerly Roads and Traffic Authority) Heritage Committee. The Heritage Council accepted the report Timber Truss Road Bridges - A Strategic Approach to Conservation as a basis for community consultation (started 18 July 2011).

COMMUNITY CONSULTATION

The community was invited to comment on the strategy from 18 July 2011 to 26 August 2011. Roads and Maritime Services (formerly Roads and Traffic Authority) particularly sought community views on:

  • The overall approach presented in the strategy.
  • Any other issues that could affect the decision to retain or replace specific bridges.

RELATED LINKS 

For further information

The following documents are available to view or download from the project documents page.

  • Community Update - Timber Truss Road Bridges - A Strategic Approach to Conservation.
  • Table of Timber Truss Bridges to be retained.
  • Table of Timber Truss Bridges to be replaced.
  • Table of Timber Truss Bridge designs.
  • Photograph and profile of each bridge.
  • The MBK Report (1998).
  • Timber Truss Bridge State Heritage listings.
Cobram Bridge - de Burgh truss - Roads and Maritime Services (formerly Roads and Traffic Authority) strategy: retain Hinton Bridge - Allan truss - Roads and Maritime Services (formerly Roads and Traffic Authority) strategy: retain Victoria Bridge - Allan Truss - Roads and Maritime Services (formerly Roads and Traffic Authority) strategy: retain Clarence Town Bridge - Roads and Maritime Services (formerly Roads and Traffic Authority) strategy: retain Mungindi Bridge - Dare truss - Roads and Maritime Services (formerly Roads and Traffic Authority) strategy: replace Junction Bridge - McDonald truss - Roads and Maritime Services (formerly Roads and Traffic Authority) strategy: retain Briner Bridge - Dare truss - Roads and Maritime Services (formerly Roads and Traffic Authority) strategy: retain Barham Bridge - de Burgh truss - Roads and Maritime Services (formerly Roads and Traffic Authority) strategy: replace Monkerai Bridge - Old PWD truss - Roads and Maritime Services (formerly Roads and Traffic Authority) strategy: retain Junction Bridge - McDonald truss - Roads and Maritime Services (formerly Roads and Traffic Authority) strategy: retain New Buildings Bridge - Dare truss - Roads and Maritime Services (formerly Roads and Traffic Authority) strategy: retain Mungindi Bridge - Dare truss - Roads and Maritime Services (formerly Roads and Traffic Authority) strategy: replace Coorei Bridge - Dare truss - Roads and Maritime Services (formerly Roads and Traffic Authority) strategy: replace Coonamit Bridge - Dare truss - Roads and Maritime Services (formerly Roads and Traffic Authority) strategy:replace Colemans Bridge - Dare truss - Roads and Maritime Services (formerly Roads and Traffic Authority) strategy: retain Bulga Creek Bridge - Dare truss - Roads and Maritime Services (formerly Roads and Traffic Authority) strategy: replace