Assessment of bridge structures underway for high productivity vehicle
Published on 03 August 2021
Liverpool Plains Shire Council (LPSC) has recently been successful furthering its Strategic Local Government Asset Assessment Project (SLGAAP). This initiative, under the auspice of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR), assists Councils with assessing bridge structures to enhance usage for high productivity vehicles.
“An efficient freight industry is vital to rural and regional areas and bridge capacity is a big factor as to whether roads are suitable for high productivity vehicles. The SLGAAP initiative is being conducted over a few stages and allows Council to nominate bridge structures for assessment through yearly stages, said LPSC Mayor, Councillor Doug Hawkins OAM.
“Roads and their infrastructure are vital to meet the requirements of our agricultural sector and the transport industry to shift produce as economically as possible. LPSC has been successful in gaining grant funding to undertake projects like the bitumen seal of Williewarina and Mystery Roads which are important link roads in the network. Council continues to seek funding opportunities to continue such projects, including bridge works,” he continued.
Councillor Hawkins said Council nominated 20 bridges for assessment and four were chosen for the first round stage, Whittaker Street Quirindi (MR 126) bridge, Werris Creek bridge on Werris Creek Road (MR 130), Mooki River bridge at Caroona on Coonabarabran Road (MR 129) and Henry Street Quirindi (MR 126) bridge.
“The Mooki River bridge is used extensively by heavy articulated vehicles. The subsequent test results indicate this bridge is suitable for high productivity vehicles. Whittaker Street bridge showed a level of concern on its loading capacity based on the analysis undertaken and a more detailed analysis will be required. The bridge on the Werris Creek Road, was also considered favourable, however additional structures nearby, the bridge over the Gap Road further west and the bridge over Silo Road, will require assessment to enhance this general area for higher productivity use. Henry Street bridge was also assessed favourably, however the roundabouts along the main street limit its potential for a heavy vehicle route,” he said.
“The next round of assessments will be undertaken later during the year and further bridge structures will be submitted for assessment to further improve higher productivity capacity throughout the LGA.
“Council continues to receive requests via the NHVR for various over mass/over dimension and restricted access vehicles to traverse our local roads. Bridge structures can at times be the impediment to approval of some requests,” he continued.
“While in some instances bridge condition can impede the suitability for allowing their use by high productivity vehicles, there are often other alternatives available for the vehicle operators. Council staff work closely with the industry in supporting improved economies of scale and sustainable economic development within our LGA.
“Working with operators, staff are ensuring those roads that are suitable for restricted access vehicles, in line with engineering restrictions such as width or weight issues and road safety restrictions like turn paths and clear sight distance, are where possible being approved,” he said.
”This project increases Council’s awareness of infrastructure responsibilities and costings to ensure infrastructure is well planned and maintained and will meet our needs now and into the future. Council staff are continually investigating opportunities for grant funding that will allow prioritised works to be undertaken,” Councillor Hawkins concluded.
Media contact – Doug Hawkins 0448 092 932.