Murray Irrigation

Project: Safe Public Bridges

Inspect and upgrade the public bridges along our channel system, almost half of which were built in the 1940s and 50s.

Project outcome

Over 400 structures replaced and/or upgraded to meet both current and future transport needs.


Achievable timeline

• Project kick-off 2022

• Works complete by 2026

407 public bridges

Shovel Ready

Key project benefits


  • Murray Irrigation has the asset systems, experience and teams to begin works immediately and implement as part of a rolling program alongside bridge surveys
  • Repair bridges across five Local Government Areas
  • According to the existing lease agreement, structures are owned by local councils and are maintained by Murray Irrigation

Close to 75% of existing structures fail current Gross Vehicle Mass limit assessments.

407 public bridges and culverts across five LGAs are predicted to be unfit for current traffic requirements.

Murray Irrigation Bridge Fail Map 2021

Our bridges average over 144 daily traffic trips and include crossings on national highways.


Emergency closures have far-reaching community mobility impacts, interrupting local school bus routes, access to health services and agricultural productivity.

Bridge Failures


  • $18 million spent over the last 3 years
  • 33 emergency closures were prioritised due to critical structure failures
Murray Irrigation - Bridge Failures
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