Safety checks at Cartwright’s Bridge on Old Ferry Road led to urgent repairs which were undertaken in October and early November with the bridge reopening on 8 November. The upgrade ensures the ongoing safety and reliability of the bridge for road users.
The two-span, 36-metre bridge, built in 1973 using 1.5-metre-wide precast concrete deck panels on steel beams was flagged for attention after Council staff observed movement in several of the centre panels.
A follow-up inspection identified that there was cracking, and concrete was breaking up on the underside of six of the 72 deck panels. A temporary 30km/h speed limit was introduced on 1 October to reduce the impact of traffic on the structure, before the bridge was fully closed from 3 to 7 November to remove the damaged panels and install new precast units. The bridge handrails were also cleaned and repainted.
During the closure, willow trees on the road berm that were threatening nearby power lines were removed with the assistance of Alpine Energy.
“The replacement panels have restored the deck’s structural integrity, and with ongoing monitoring and maintenance we expect the bridge to continue serving bridge users for many years before any further deck replacement is required,” says roading manager Robert Moffat.
Council thanks Thompson Precast Concrete Ltd for the rapid manufacture of the replacement panels, Recreation Construction for their efficient removal and installation work, and Rooney Earthmoving Ltd for logistical support with tree removal and deck resurfacing. Appreciation is also extended to adjoining landowners Mr and Mrs Derwin for providing access to aid the tree removal process.
The project was delivered within the existing bridge repair budget.
