‘‘The increased mass capacity will enable the bridge to meet current vehicle loads and the growing needs of the freight industry and local agricultural sector,’’ Ms Parrott said.
‘‘The Murray Darling Basin is the largest contributor to Australia’s agricultural sector and is home to more than 40 per cent of Australian farms.
‘‘The region is comprised of rich irrigation farming land, primarily producing rice, sheep, citrus, cereal crops, dairy, walnuts, olives and beef cattle.
‘‘This will be a major boost for the freight industry and local agricultural producers ahead of an expected bumper harvest.’’
Ms Parrott said the successful recent load testing to demonstrate the degree of structural integrity followed repairs earlier this year on the heritage-listed bridge, which links NSW and Victoria over the Murray River, to the lift span, replacing the NSW approach and strengthening the bridge piers.
‘‘Before this upgrade providing a vital cross border connection for higher productivity vehicles, there was a 350 kilometre stretch between crossings for higher mass limits vehicles at Tocumwal and Euston,’’ she said.
‘‘These border crossings are vital with more than 150,000 vehicle movements daily, and about 20 million tonnes of freight crossing the river each year.’’
The NSW and Victorian governments work in partnership on the upkeep and planning for the 32 crossings over the Murray River between the two states.
