Bridge load limit begins
Vehicles weighing more than five tonnes gross will be prohibited from Jubilee Bridge as of Monday, 1 December 2008, in order to extend the life of the deteriorating structure.
The new five tonne load limit, which replaces the existing 12 tonne limit, has been introduced by the Cassowary Coast Regional Council (CCRC) in response to recommendations from the engineering consultants, GHD Ltd, who inspected the bridge in October.
The inspection found that the structural components of the bridge had continued to deteriorate since the last detailed inspection in 2003, with the deterioration now extending to further spans of the bridge.
The new load limit will effectively limit bridge traffic to passenger vehicles, 4WD’s, utilities, vans and small trucks. Emergency vehicles will be exempt, but only when attending a bona fide emergency.
CCRC Engineering Officer, Paul Cronk, said new regulatory signs indicating the five tonnes gross load limit would be installed prior to 1 December, followed by guide signs advising heavier vehicles to make a detour.
Mr Cronk warned road users that the new load limit would be enforced by the Queensland Police Service from 1 December, with a maximum penalty of $1,500 for ignoring the bridge load limit sign.
“Police will hold suspect vehicles roadside until Queensland Transport can attend from Cairns to carry out weight measurements,” he said.
“As this process can take two hours or longer, depending on the availability of Queensland Transport inspectors, drivers could face lengthy downtime – and a resulting loss of revenue – as well as an infringement notice.”
The new bridge load limit will remain indefinitely: the bridge will be monitored to ascertain whether further restrictions are required in the future.
“The load limit is essential to extend the life of the existing bridge structure,” Mr Cronk said. “Any change to the current situation will be dependant on finding the resources to carry out essential repairs or construct a new bridge.”
He called upon the public to report offenders who ignored the new load limit.
“The actions of a minority of offenders should not be allowed to jeopardize the continued use of the bridge, which would inconvenience a large number of residents,” he said.