UPDATE: The load limit on the crucial Scabbing Flat Bridge in Central West, Australia, has just been raised from 16 tonnes to 42.5 tonnes ahead of the peak harvest season. This significant development comes after 15 months of intensive restoration work, but local farmers warn, “there’s still a long way to go.”
Located between Wellington and Dubbo, the bridge has been under strict load limit restrictions since December 2023 to protect its timber heritage while essential repairs were underway. The previous limitations effectively doubled travel times for producers, adding between 25 to 45 minutes when transporting stock, machinery, or fodder.
As of noon on Friday, October 17, 2023, the full load limit will be restored, allowing larger vehicles to cross the bridge. However, Michelle Tomkins, a farmer and representative of the Scabbing Flat Bridge Action Group, emphasizes that the fight is far from over.
“It’s great that it’s open as you can get semis across the bridge, but the bigger trucks we can’t,” she stated. “If you’ve got to run in and get parts, you can now use the bridge; you don’t have to go to the alternate routes, so it is definitely going to make it better. But there’s still a long way to go.”
While the load limit increase is a welcome relief, speed limits of 20 km/h and lane width restrictions will remain in place as final truss repairs continue. Built in 1911, the bridge has long been a point of concern for the community, which has gathered over 1,000 signatures in support of a new infrastructure project to meet modern needs.
Tomkins highlighted the risks posed by outdated infrastructure: “As modern machinery increases in size and weight, reliance on outdated infrastructure creates safety risks and limits economic efficiency.” She added that at the recent NSW Farmers’ conference, a motion passed advocating that no bridges in prime agricultural areas should carry heritage classification.
Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison acknowledged the bridge’s importance, stating, “We know how important this bridge is to farmers and the local economy, and crews have worked around the clock to make sure it was back to full strength in time for harvest.”
The mayor of Dubbo Regional Council, Josh Black, expressed optimism: “Scabbing Flat Bridge is a vital connection for our farmers and freight operators, and these works will make a real difference to local productivity and safety.”
GrainCorp’s head of supply chain, Josh Connell, noted that investments improving road access and freight efficiency are crucial. “With another busy harvest approaching in NSW, targeted investment in freight routes is essential to maintaining supply chain reliability and delivering strong outcomes for growers,” he said.
While wider vehicles will still need to use approved detours via Wellington or Dubbo, occasional closures of up to 15 minutes may be necessary for continued work. Once the truss repairs are finalized later this year, the temporary bailey bridge will be removed, restoring normal traffic conditions.
As farmers prepare for the harvest, they remain hopeful yet vigilant, demanding the necessary infrastructure upgrades to secure their livelihoods and enhance community safety.
