George Chaffey Bridge

George Chaffey Bridge
George Chaffey Bridge from Mildura in 2007
Coordinates34°11′3″S 142°10′23″E / 34.18417°S 142.17306°E / -34.18417; 142.17306
CarriesSturt Highway
CrossesMurray River
BeginsBuronga, New South Wales
EndsMildura, Victoria
Named forGeorge Chaffey
OwnerTransport for NSW
Preceded byRobinvale Bridge
Followed byAbbotsford Bridge
Characteristics
MaterialConcrete
Total length331 metres (1,086 ft)
Width9.8 metres (32 ft)
No. of spans9
Piers in water5
History
Opened12 March 1985 (1985-03-12)
ReplacesMildura Bridge (1927–1985)
Location
Map

The George Chaffey Bridge is a road bridge in Australia that carries the Sturt Highway across the Murray River from Buronga to Mildura.

History

[edit]

Old Mildura Bridge

[edit]

The previous Mildura Bridge was opened on 22 October 1927.[1] The design allowed for it to carry both road and railway traffic, but railway tracks were never laid.[2] It was a lift-span bridge supported by concrete pylons, with two approach spans on each side. Two of the truss spans and the lift span are now in the Mildura Marina.[3]

Current bridge

[edit]

Named in honour of engineer George Chaffey, the current bridge was opened on 12 March 1985, by Federal, New South Wales and Victorian transport ministers Peter Morris, Laurie Brereton and Steve Crabb.[4][5] The project was funded under the Australian Bicentennial Road Development Programme, constructed at a cost of $14 million.[5][6]

The nine-span, 331 metres (1,086 ft) long and 9.8 metres (32 ft) wide, prestressed concrete bridge was designed and constructed by the Department of Main Roads. The Victorian approach is 500 metres (1,600 ft) long, with a six-span, high-strength reinforced concrete I-beam floodway bridge, 80.4 metres (264 ft) long. The New South Wales approach to the main bridge crossing is 1.3 kilometres (0.81 mi) long, and includes three floodway bridges.[7][5]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Opening of Murray Bridge". The Argus. Melbourne. 26 October 1927. p. 21. Retrieved 18 January 2020 – via Trove.
  2. ^ "Mildura Bridge". Daily Telegraph. Sydney. 10 December 1924. p. 6. Retrieved 18 January 2020 – via Trove.
  3. ^ "Old Mildura Bridge". Heritage places and items. Office of Environment & Heritage. 28 September 2012. Retrieved 19 January 2020.
  4. ^ New Murray River Crossing, Mildura Roads Victoria issue 5 March 1985 page 5
  5. ^ a b c "Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 1985". Road Construction Authority. Melbourne. 25 October 1984. p. 9.
  6. ^ Mildura Chaffey Bridge opening 12th March 1985. STV8. Retrieved 19 January 2020.
  7. ^ Mildura Main Roads March 1984 page 18
[edit]


Next bridge upstream Murray River Next bridge downstream
Robinvale Bridge George Chaffey Bridge Abbotsford Bridge