Council Response to Feedback on Bridge Closure and Detour

Timing:

After considering all timing options, we plan to close the bridge for about four weeks between March and April 2025.

This avoids the Tour Down Under event and although we recognise that warmer months are busiest for trail users, winter was not chosen due to the higher likelihood of rain causing construction delays. Final closure dates will be confirmed once a contractor is chosen.

Detour:

Feedback on detours was carefully reviewed. While a preferred detour route was initially proposed, in response to safety concerns particularly along Tatachilla Road. A decision has been made to not provide a detour.

The shutdown is expected to be short, and cyclists and walkers are encouraged to use alternative routes during this time.

A shared paths map is available on Council’s website. Phone and online applications like AllTrails can help with alternative route planning. Confident cyclists may choose their own road routes based on their needs.

Abutments:

To address concerns about cracks in the abutments, we will install survey pins to monitor any movement and plan remediation if necessary. Any future repairs will be handled by the Department of Infrastructure and Transport, which is responsible for the bridge's substructure.

Community Engagement on Bridge Closure and Detour Route

During the engagement period the project page on the Your Say Onkaparinga platform received 144 visitors. Two tools were available for public feedback:

Survey on Bridge Closure Timing: The survey asked, “Is April-May the most suitable time to close the bridge for construction?” It received 20 responses, with 9 people (45%) supporting the proposed timing and 11 people (55%) opposing it. Of those opposed, most preferred the construction to take place in winter, explaining that it would be less disruptive.

Interactive Detour Route Map: This tool asked whether the proposed detour route was the best option. All three respondents (100%) agreed that it was. Additionally, one person suggested an alternative detour route using the interactive map.

Background

Pedler Bridge (BA51) is a shared path bridge over Pedler Creek on the Coast to Vines shared path route in McLaren Vale.

It has multiple owners and was an old rail bridge. The superstructure (deck and handrails) is owned by Council. The substructure and abutments are owned by the Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT).

The deck and handrails require replacement as some components have failed.

As the bridge is isolated, it will be necessary to close a section of the Coast to Vines Trail during the construction works, requiring a significant detour around the closed section of trail.

To facilitate the works, the bridge will require full closure for approximately 2 months.

We proposed to undertake works in April-May 2025 as we think this will cause the least disruption to path users and sought feedback from the community if this timing was suitable.

We suggested a detour for path users on the map below and sought feedback on whether the community thinks this is the best option, or if there was a preferred alternative route.