The City of Greater Bendigo will permanently close the historic Booth Street Bridge over Bendigo Creek to vehicle traffic from February 2025.
The Booth Street bridge is one of six remaining Monier reinforced concrete arch bridges built in Bendigo over 120 years ago between 1900 and 1902 by Monash & Anderson. The Monier bridges are significant because they demonstrate an important stage in the development of reinforced concrete technology and early twentieth century engineering.
In 2008 the City reduced the load limit of the Booth Street Bridge to five tonne to slow and reduce the deterioration of the structure. In 2020 a further engineering investigation and load testing was undertaken which found that the capacity of the bridge had continued to reduce since the 2008 inspection.
City of Greater Bendigo Presentation and Assets Director Brian Westley said the decision to close the bridge to vehicle traffic has been undertaken due to the continuing deterioration of the bridge and the significant and costly repairs that would need to be undertaken for it to continue to remain open.
"The City is responsible for maintaining over 300 bridges and only has limited funds to undertake renewal projects which need to be prioritised," Mr Westley said.
"Repairing the bridge was considered under the City's bridge renewal program. However, it was not deemed to be a high priority when compared to the other bridge renewal projects that are needed in Greater Bendigo.
"Traffic counts have shown that the Booth Street Bridge carries a volume of approximately 430 vehicles per day and the surrounding road network is considered adequate to absorb this traffic. Using Laurel/Wade Street as an alternative would only require vehicle to travel an additional 250 metres.
"Therefore, closing the bridge to vehicles but leaving it open to pedestrians and cyclists is considered the most beneficial and cost-effective option and the City has made the decision to permanently close the bridge to vehicle traffic given the low usage and easily accessible alternate routes."
As part of the bridge closure some minor works will take place including the installation of a court bowl turn around area and installation of vehicle barriers on the High Street side of the bridge, and some kerbing/vehicle barriers on the Old High Street side.
