Nangetty-Walkaway Road Bridge
The City has secured $4,539,307 in funding from the Australian Government's Bridges Renewal Program to replace the 59 year old Walkaway-Nangetty Bridge over the Greenough River. More here
Since the bridge was constructed in 1964, the transport industry has grown and changed with the use of road trains up to 36.5m long RAV7 (Restricted Access Vehicles) on regional roads now commonplace. This route services grain-harvest, lime-sand, sand mining and other community freight operations, providing important linkages to the commercial and industrial areas of the City and to the Geraldton Port via the Geraldton Mount Magnet Road.
Following regular infrastructure audits undertaken in early 2021, concerns were raised about the aged bridge’s capacity to carry heavy haulage vehicles up to RAV7. To ensure this critical freight route remains opens to the transport industry, in July 2021,the speed limit on the bridge was reduced to 60km/h.
Replacement of the bridge is still many months away (2024-2025). Survey works are currently underway with detailed design and approvals being progressed over the coming months.
The design and construction of the new concrete bridge estimated at over $8 million is joint funded with Mainroads Western Australia providing $1 million and the Australian Government contributing $4,539,307 from the Bridges Renewal Program.
Background
The Nangetty-Walkaway Road Bridge, located on the east side of the Walkaway town site, just before the entrance to Mooreview Plants and Trees, was built in 1964 and is a City asset.
To increase the capacity of the bridge to carry the ever increasing heavy loads, up to RAV7, and improve safety a number of remediation works have been undertaken over the years including:
- 2003: Deck strengthened-carbon fibre
- 2003: Piers strengthened
- 2007: Guardrail upgraded
On 2 and 3 June 2021 the City held community information sessions to inform residents and businesses about the future use of the bridge. More here
View Information Session Presentation here
Short Term Solution
In the short term, traffic movements on the existing bridge have been restricted with a speed limit to cross the bridge reduced to 60km/h. This will ensure this important road can remain open for RAV7 vehicles to use until a new bridge is constructed.
Medium to Long Term Solution
The long term solution is to build a new bridge engineered to carry RAV7 vehicles.