04 Sept, 2019

A New Direction For Heavy Vehicles

Within the next four weeks, all heavy vehicles weighing more than 26 tonnes will be required to bypass the designated three River Torrens bridges within the City of Adelaide.

City of Adelaide has confirmed these vehicles will need to use the City Ring Route following discussions with specialist engineers, the National Heavy Vehicles Regulator, and Department of Planning Transport and Infrastructure.

Director Place Klinton Devenish said the move was about maximising the life of all the bridges that the City of Adelaide owns and maintains.

“All of the city’s bridges require proactive management and carefully calculated weight restrictions to ensure they are maintained and function well into the future,” said Mr Devenish.

Mr Devenish said the restriction would also have the added benefit of shortening travel times for all other vehicles travelling through King William Road between the CBD and North Adelaide.

North Adelaide residents will also benefit from a significant reduction in through-traffic.

“From a traffic movement and safety perspective, it is preferred that heavy vehicles no longer use King William Street and O’Connell Street as a ‘through route’ when the bypass route is available.

“The city ring route provides the best overall balance in maximising the design life of the bridges, improving road safety and minimising the impact of very heavy vehicles on transport infrastructure.

“However, at a time when many important projects in the city are underway including our own, it’s important to note that heavy vehicles can still access all construction and demolition sites in the CBD and North Adelaide.”

This is not a unique occurrence with permanent bypass routes previously put in place in Port Adelaide and Murray Bridge.

The city’s three bridges are Albert Bridge on Frome Road which is over 140 years old, Adelaide Bridge on King William Road, nearing 100 years of age, and Victoria Bridge on Morphett Street which is now over 50 years old. The Albert Bridge and Adelaide Bridge are heritage-listed.

The National Heavy Vehicles Regulator will continue to work with City of Adelaide to ensure operators comply with the new restriction.

Large buses, fire appliances and other emergency vehicles can continue to cross the city’s bridges.

A fact sheet is attached.

Matt Halliwell