JESSE NEILL

DEFECTS to surface coating have been detected on the roadside safety barriers of the Gawler Mill Inn Bridge, delaying completion of the project.
The works to the bridge occurred as part of the Murray Street Upgrade Stage 6 project, which included the installation of new barriers on either side of the bridge to adhere to modern safety standards.
Gawler mayor Karen Redman said repairs are set to occur next month and the extent of restoration needed means the barriers will be removed and taken off site to be recoated in a controlled environment.
“(The barriers) haven’t come up to our standards or expectations and we’re quite disappointed with that,” she said.
“If you’re driving over the bridge you can see what I mean, the paintwork is substandard.”
The roadwork section of the bridge has almost been completed, however final defects are expected to be man- aged through to completion of the project.
Repair works are set to commence on September 3 and will continue for at least two weeks to enable the barriers to be dismantled, recoated, and re-installed.
Despite these setbacks, Ms Redman is “happy with the overall project” and said the “the bridge, the remediation work, and the upgrade work have been  xantastic”.
“We’re setting up this bridge for our future growth and demonstrating that despite the challenges that occur, when you invest in heritage bridges you will get a really good outcome,” she said.
“We’re hoping business interruptions will be minimal, but they’ll occur nonetheless.”
While lane closures will be necessary, these will not occur during business hours and the bridge will remain open at all times to traffic in both directions.
Speed limits will be reduced to 40 km/h across the site for the duration of the repair works.
Any concerns or queries through- out this period can be directed to the Project Hotline on 1300 556 780 or by email to murraystreetupgrade@gawler.sa.gov.au