South Australian audit reveals 18 major bridges rated ‘poor’ with no reference to location
EIGHTEEN SA road and rail bridges have been rated as “poor” in an audit, but the State Government won’t reveal their locations — raising concerns after last week’s deadly bridge collapse in Italy.
- Bridges cleared of major flaws but no details released
- Statewide bridge audit shrouded by secrecy
- South Rd overpass reopens
- Italian bridge collapse: at least 39 people dead
EIGHTEEN road and rail bridges have been rated as “poor” in a statewide audit, but the Government won’t reveal their locations.
Transport and Infrastructure Minister Stephan Knoll said the audit, triggered by the structural failure of the South Road tram overpass at Black Forest 18 months ago, found all bridges were fit for purpose.
But he blamed “security reasons” for not divulging the location of the 15 road bridges and three rail bridges graded “poor” by the review.
To obtain the poor grading, a structure “shows advanced deterioration and loss of effective section”.
“Deterioration is to the point that there is a concern a structural analysis is warranted to ascertain impact on the strength and/or serviceability of the member,” the definition reads.
But Mr Knoll told the Sunday Mail no bridge was deemed unsafe when “used within their current specification”.
Details of the audit comes days after the Morandi motorway bridge collapsed in the Italian city of Genoa, killing at least 39 people.
The State Government manages 710 road bridges, and 107 rail structures. A further 816 road structures are “smaller items” like paths and culverts.
Of the 710 road bridges, 636 were rated “very good” or good”, 59 were graded as “fair” and 15 were rated “poor”.
The condition of rail bridges was assessed at a lower level, with the bulk (55 per cent) graded as “fair”. Mr Knoll said the results should “reassure South Australians that all bridges are safe” and could be used as normal.
“I’ve been advised that the relatively small number of road bridges which have been rated as ‘poor’ have had alternative arrangements put in place,” Mr Knoll said.
“Bridges needing repair are programmed to be completed by the middle of 2019.”
He said the State Government would also start a range of measures to improve its assessment of bridges, including:
USING the private sector to start a “consolidated” bridge inspection approach.
STARTING a single bridge asset database.
UPDATING and publishing a manual governing bridge inspections.
The former Labor government refused to release details of how many bridges had faults and where they were located.
The Advertiser revealed in January an audit of all major road and rail bridges had been completed, but hundreds of checks on smaller infrastructure had yet to be completed.
Former infrastructure minister Stephen Mullighan routinely defended SA’s “stringent” inspection regime.
Mr Knoll said by rolling out an upgraded inspection regime and releasing details of the report was “another example” of the Government “cleaning up Labor’s mess”.
“The Marshall Government is getting on with the job and doing the work that Labor let fall by the wayside to get these bridges up to scratch,” Mr Knoll said.
The South Rd overpass at Black Forest crumbled in January 2017.
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