Without warning, the load limit of a small culvert bridge on Hopeland Rd was derated, causing headaches for dozens of locals who operate businesses in the area.
Overnight on 14 October, electronic signs were set up notifying all that the Water Corporation-owned Punrak culvert bridge had been reduced to 15 tonnes, from its previously open limit.
The road sees significant numbers of heavy vehicles each day, including from Greenacres Turf Group – the state’s largest supplier of lawn, the Doral Mineral Sand mines, Hope Valley Nursery, and also Marley’s Transport and Phillips Agricultural Contractors which service the large local chicken industry.
A 17km detour put in place is seeing these vehicles – some over 40 tonnes when fully loaded – run the gauntlet down narrow back roads not built for this level of traffic.
“All the edges of the road are dropping away. They’re only single lane roads as they are, and they’re rough as hell,” local farmer Ken Elliott said.
School bus contractor Ross Lay said the unsafe diversion has caused trouble for his route.
“You’re forever just sitting on the edge of the road waiting for cars to pass you,” he said.
Owner of Hope Valley Nursery Matt Hall said the dangerous conditions had been drastically impacting his business.
“I have three truck drivers who are refusing to transfer stock from site to site because it’s too dangerous now,” he said.
“I had a near accident myself on Rapids Rd the other day taking my tractor out to site.”
Greenacres Co-Director Adrian Pitsikas said the lack of oversight was telling.
“These roads should have been surveyed by Main Roads or shire staff. If they were surveyed, the conclusion would have been made they are not wide enough for two trucks to pass each other safely when they are forced to drive on the shoulder,” he said.
“The shoulders of the road are not able to handle fully laden semi-trailers or school buses.”
Unpruned trees along the roads have been making mincemeat of wing mirrors on prime movers at a cost of up to $3K a pop, according to Mr Pitsikas.
And at $2.50/km per truck in running costs, he estimates the 17km diversion is costing him nearly $3000 a week.
At a community meeting held last Wednesday, there was frustration about the absence of forewarning from both state and local government.
No one, including shire officers, knew why the bridge had been derated in the first place. And there were fears it could take at least two years to remedy.
“No one can wait two years,” someone objected.
The Examiner followed up with both Main Roads and Water Corporation to try to clear up the confusion.
Water Corporation said there are actually issues with two bridges in the area.
But rather than an urgent structural fault, the problems lay with the original design of the bridges.
“The Water Corporation-owned bridges span drainage culverts and were constructed by the former Public Works Department (PWD) in 1955 and 1979,” a Water Corporation spokesperson said.
“We have been advised by Main Roads WA (MRWA) that the PWD design standards for these particular bridges did not comply with building codes of the time. As such, and out of an abundance of caution, we were requested to apply load postings while plans to permanently replace the bridges are made.
“This decision was not made lightly but our priority, and that of MRWA, is the safety of road users.
“We continue to regularly inspect each bridge and, importantly, MRWA has further advised there is no critical safety risk with either bridge.
“We continue to proactively engage with key stakeholders, including Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale, to mitigate detour impacts as much as possible. However, we understand this change will inconvenience some local businesses, for which we apologise.”
But the Examiner received no response to our query about when the bridge is likely to be replaced and therefore open to heavy vehicles over 15 tonnes again.
At Wednesday’s meeting SJ Shire’s Director of Infrastructure Services Reza Najafzadeh said the shire had been told in May the Punrak culvert bridge had been inspected and a decision to de-rate it had been made.
But he said the shire was not informed when the load limits would be changed.
“We found out about the signs the same time you did,” he said.
But Main Roads insists they have been “in regular contact with the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale since before the load posting occurred”.
While there is significant frustration about the breakdowns in communication, those at the meeting were more concerned with finding a workable solution. There were offers of bridge beams, and local expertise and labour to replace the bridge.
“There’s going to be a death there if something is not done about this now,” one person pleaded.
But Mr Najafzadeh cautioned that laws and due process needed to be followed, and reminded the group that while the shire would be advocating on their behalf, ultimately the decision was out of their hands.
Unfortunately, no one from either Main Roads or Water Corporation was present.
The possibility of exemption permits was floated for local residents and contractors.
But Water Corporation has nixed that suggestion.
“Exemption permits, controlled by MRWA, will not be considered as detours are now in place to bypass both bridges,” the spokesperson said.
“We will provide further updates when available. For community enquiries, please contact internalreview@watercorporation.com.au or phone 13 13 75.”
