Old Wallaville Bridge Rehabilitation Project
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 1940’s, and changed to a concrete deck in the late 1960’s.
The bridge has experienced considerable wear and tear over this time from carrying many heavy vehicles and going underwater in many flood events.
In July 2023 Council reduced the speed on the bridge to 60km/hr and restricted traffic to a single central lane.
This was done to limit the damaged caused to the bridge by fast moving heavy vehicles and ensure that two heavy vehicles do not cross each other on the bridge.
In October 2023 Council arranged for a detailed inspection of the structure including a diver to inspect the piers underwater. After this an engineering analysis of the structure was completed and has recommended that a load limit be put on the bridge to further reduce damage being caused by heavy vehicles.
The bridge will now be load limited to 35 tonne total vehicle mass. The 60km/hr speed limit and single central lane will remain in place.
Monitoring of the structural condition of the bridge will continue every 6 months. Rehabilitation of the bridge is scheduled to start in the 2024/25 financial year.
To keep up to date with news on the Old Wallaville Bridge, register for Updates on the top right of this page.
Historical snapshot
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, with the bridge opening on Saturday 11 May 1940 by Harry Bruce, the Queensland Minister for Public Works (who the Bruce Highway was named after).
The bridge was handed over to Local Government after the diversion of the Bruce Highway over the Tim Fischer Bridge in the early 2000’s.
Excerpt from 1969 plan to change the bridge from a timber to a concrete deck.-
Old Wallaville Bridge rehabilitation continues
Share Old Wallaville Bridge rehabilitation continues on Facebook Share Old Wallaville Bridge rehabilitation continues on Twitter Share Old Wallaville Bridge rehabilitation continues on Linkedin Email Old Wallaville Bridge rehabilitation continues link
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.
Read the full Bundaberg Now story here.
