Have your say on the Edwards Bridge renewal

UPDATE: feedback received by Council on the Edwards Bridge options will be reviewed and will help inform Council's final decision, which will be made at an open Council meeting.

 

 

Council is seeking community feedback on options proposed for the replacement of Edwards Bridge along Stanley Street, Warrnambool.

Edwards Bridge, built in 1894, provides critical access over the Merri River to the Port of Warrnambool, the Warrnambool Foreshore, Lake Pertobe and South Warrnambool residential area.

It is approaching the end of its useful life which is why Council is considering design options for the bridge's replacement. 

Council's budget for the construction of a new bridge is $3 million, this includes a grant of $1.5 million from the Australian Government's Bridge Renewal Program.

A number of designs for a new bridge have been considered. Each option involves different costs, which includes the cost of building the bridge and the cost of maintaining the bridge.

The options are also different aesthetically and may involve different levels of development at the planning and approvals stage to address any environmental impacts and to optimise functionality.

 

Background

Edwards Bridge provides important heavy vehicle access to the Port of Warrnambool and is also used by public buses, residents and visitors who use it to reach the foreshore and Lake Pertobe precincts.

It is particularly important for emergency vehicle access at peak visitor times when Pertobe Road is busy.

The existing timber bridge across the Merri River at the intersection of Viaduct Road, Stanley Street and Pertobe Road now has a reduced load limit which means that some heavy vehicles can no longer use the bridge. 

In 2020 steel beams were added to the bridge to strengthen it and ensure it could continue to operate until a replacement bridge was constructed.

Council considered retaining part of the bridge as a practical way in which to enjoy Warrnambool's history, however with the cost of maintaining two bridges at the same location, coupled with risks in converting the existing bridge, this option was not considered viable.

Edwards Bridge is of ‘local significance’ under the Warrnambool Planning Scheme but is not included on the Victorian Heritage Register (State level of significance).  Council did consider retaining part of the bridge as a practical way to enjoy Warrnambool's history.  However, the cost of maintaining two bridges at the same location, increased infrastructure within the river and constructability risks in converting the existing bridge, meant that this option was not viable.

 

What the new bridge needs to do - essential functions and features

It must provide safe, inclusive and equitable pedestrian access.

It must carry emergency vehicles, commuter buses and heavy vehicles needing to access the Port of Warrnambool.

It must accommodate cyclists with dedicated cycle lanes.

It must comply with standards and planning requirements of all relevant authorities.

It must consider climate change and predicted sea level changes.

It must be affordable - both to build and to maintain.

 

Council also intends to engage with Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation to discuss the inclusion of a feature that acknowledges Connection to Country.

 

The options

Council explored four bridge replacement options.

They were:

Option A - not deemed viable

Demolition of the existing timber bridge and construction of a new structure that is a contemporary, innovative, creative on the same alignment with 80-100 years design life.The new contemporary structure could take the form of a steel through truss with a reinforced concrete deck supported by steel cross girders. The through truss could be painted in a vibrant colour to complement the dynamic surroundings or simply painted white to retain some of the character of Edwards Bridge and other similar bridges in the area (e.g. the white timber truss on Hopkins River Bridge).

Indicative siting and layout of Option A

 

Indicative engineering elevation below.

 

Option B - deemed viable

Demolition of the existing timber bridge and construction of a two-span bridge comprising timber walkways and reinforced concrete deck with 100 years design life on the same road reserve alignment. This option could replicate some heritage attributes of the existing bridge such as the form and colour of outer handrail system. The new superstructure is proposed to include a reinforced concrete deck supported on precast Super-T girders. This bridge would complement the appearance of the refurbished Hopkins River Bridge, which has a newer concrete structure for the road carriageway but has a timber walkway, railing and pier bracing which evokes the design and appearance of the original structure. 

The photo below shows the Hopkins River Bridge with the added timber walkway elements and pier bracing.

The indicative diagram below shows the two-span structure.

Option C - not deemed viable

Includes adaptive re-use of part of the existing timber bridge in order to convert it into a pedestrian bridge. This option also includes a new bridge with a new road reserve alignment to the north of the original bridge. The new bridge would be a new 2-span road bridge comprising a reinforced concrete structure with 100 years design life.

Indicative siting and road reserve alignment for Option C

Indicative diagram below shows options B and C share the two-span structure. 

Option D - deemed viable

Demolition of the existing timber bridge and reconstruction of a single-span reinforced concrete bridge with 100 years design life on the same alignment that may include contemporary elements such as a viewing platform or balustrade with a feature design. The new superstructure is proposed to comprise of a reinforced concrete deck supported on precast Super-T girders.

Indicative siting and road reserve alignment for Option D