George Chaffey Bridge

George Chaffey Bridge
George Chaffey Bridge from Mildura in 2007
Coordinates	34°11′3″S 142°10′23″E
Carries	Sturt Highway
Crosses	Murray River
Begins	Buronga, New South Wales
Ends	Mildura, Victoria
Named for	George Chaffey
Owner	Transport for NSW
Preceded by	Robinvale Bridge
Followed by	Abbotsford Bridge
Characteristics
Material	Concrete
Total length	331 metres (1,086 ft)
Width	9.8 metres (32 ft)
No. of spans	9
Piers in water	5
History
Opened	12 March 1985 (1985-03-12)
Replaces	Mildura Bridge (1927–1985)
Location

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

History

Old Mildura Bridge

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

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

• List of bridges in Australia
• List of crossings of the Murray River

References

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. "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

External links

• Daryl Jackson Pty Ltd Architects; KLM Gerner Consulting Group (March 2005). "Mildura Riverfront Masterplan" (PDF). Council Services. Rural City of Mildura.

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