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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2023-10-17 Daily Xml
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Old Murray Bridge Reopening

The Hon. T.T. NGO (15:20): My question is to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development. Can the minister tell the house about the recent reopening of the Old Murray Bridge two-way traffic?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (15:21): I thank the member for his question. It was a pleasure to be in Murray Bridge a few weekends ago now at the community event to celebrate the reopening of two-way traffic to the Old Murray Bridge. It was a great turnout on a beautiful spring day. Many took the opportunity to walk across the bridge, in fact, and to see the work for themselves. The bridge was still closed at that time. The RSL, where festivities continued after the official proceedings and ribbon cutting, was full of families and people enjoying the free activities and a catch-up.

The reopening of two-way traffic on the bridge, which was built in 1879, had been much anticipated by locals, especially those living on the eastern side, and others who use the bridge regularly. Many have patiently waited on numerous occasions while the hardworking traffic controllers ensured safe, one-way passage across the bridge while work was continuing.

I was told how the traffic controllers had become very well-known to passers-by and to local people. There were many chats and waves and offers of coffee, which I must say is not usual perhaps when there are delays to traffic and so on, so that is certainly a tribute to them. Also, the kindness of others was no doubt appreciated on what I am sure must have been very long shifts at times over the past year: hot days, cold days and, of course, very wet days. One of the traffic controllers, Aaron Wilson, told the media that he likened the crossing to a dry ferry, which is quite an apt way I guess of describing the commute across the bridge over the past year and a bit.

Despite the challenges that were caused by the recent floods and the need to revise the timetable for completion because of those events, the bridge was opened to two-way traffic before its revised completion date, and the only remaining works are occurring under the bridge and they will not impact on traffic.

The project was led by South Australian company McMahon Services and has now extended the bridge's life by an estimated 30 years. It included repainting, which is important for long-term corrosion protection as well as heritage amenity, repointing of stonework, upgraded LED lighting, upgrades to footpath and pedestrian access, structural repairs and upgrades, and the installation of interpretive signage to recognise the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal history of the area, amongst other work undertaken.

There are some quite impressive stats in regard to the project: 143,055 working hours; 20 per cent of participation hours were by Aboriginal people; there were nearly 500 apprentice hours; over $2 million was spent with local small businesses and suppliers; there were 14,537 litres of paint used; 1.2 kilometres of new kerb was installed; and 11,000 vehicles per day crossing while the work was underway. This work has not only ensured the structural integrity of the bridge for another generation but it has also maintained and preserved its rich history as the first bridge to span the Murray in South Australia.

As Rural City of Murray Bridge Mayor Wayne Thorley said on the day, 'This is our bridge.' I think that sentiment highlights the importance of this critical infrastructure to a town that is growing and evolving, not only in the way they see themselves as a community but also in how the rest of the state is recognising the great things that are happening in Murray Bridge and its townships.

I congratulate and thank all the workers on the project, the public servants, McMahon Services and everyone else involved who have done a fantastic job. I also thank those who organised and attended the great community event a few weeks ago.

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