Rehabilitation of Coonamit Bridge Over Wakool River, Swan Hill

The Coonamit Bridge is a Dare-type timber truss road bridge and was built in 1929. It is a representative example of a Dare timber truss road bridge and is assessed as being of state heritage significance, primarily on the basis of its technical and historical significance. Increasing loads on the bridge, as well as the deterioration of the timber piers, led to rapid deterioration of the pier structures to the point that the bridge was in danger of partial collapse. Due to this safety concern, the bridge was closed in February 2007 and a temporary low-level bypass bridge constructed upstream of the bridge.Work to restore the bridge started in July 2009. The project’s objectives were to increase the capacity of the bridge including keeping the bridge’s heritage significance. As part of its ongoing repairs and maintenance program, Roads and Maritime Services upgraded the timber piers of Coonamit Bridge through the installation of new steel piers with concrete sills at their bases. The approach spans and barrier railing were also upgraded in order to bring the bridge into line with current operational requirements.The community was kept up to date during the entire rehabilitation process. The RMS Road Services Project team then developed the project program around full closure of the bridge to traffic and the traffic was diverted to the low level crossing adjacent to the bridge.The bridge was finally opened to traffic in August 2013.