The Old Wallaville Bridge, originally constructed in the 1940s, will be load limited to help reduce damage to the aging structure.
Old Wallaville Bridge is situated across the Burnett River connecting McLennan Drive and Zillmann Road.
The bridge was initially constructed with a timber deck in the 1940s and upgraded to a concrete deck in the late 1960s.
The bridge has experienced considerable wear and tear since its construction due to heavy vehicle usage and the impact of flood events.
In July 2023, Council reduced the speed on the bridge to 60km/hr and restricted traffic to a single central lane.
An inspection of the bridge in October 2023 and a subsequent structural analysis has recommended the addition of a 35-tonne total vehicle mass load limit and rehabilitation works.
The load limit, single lane and speed limit are required to reduce the damage caused to the aged structure by fast moving heavy vehicles.
Vehicles with a total vehicle mass above 35 tonnes are required to detour via the Tim Fischer Bridge on the Bruce Highway. Detour signage will be installed to guide heavy vehicles operators.
A traffic counter has been installed at the bridge to continuously record the type and speed of vehicles using the bridge.
Monitoring of the structural condition of the bridge will continue. Rehabilitation of the bridge is scheduled to start in the 2024/2025 financial year.
Historical snapshot of Old Wallaville Bridge
The Old Wallaville Bridge was approved for construction in September 1938 at a cost of £11,825.
Construction was delayed due to a shortage of steel. The bridge was opened on Saturday 11 May 1940 by Harry Bruce, the Queensland Minister for Public Works (after whom the Bruce Highway was named).
The bridge was handed over to Local Government after the diversion of the Bruce Highway over the Tim Fischer Bridge in the early 2000s.
Keep up to date with the rehabilitation project here.
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I loved the up and down rhythm of the old timber deck.