Bridging the Past and Future: Old Murray Bridge Upgrade by WE-EF

Bridging the Past and Future: Old Murray Bridge Upgrade by WE-EF.

The Old Murray Bridge is a critical piece of South Australia's infrastructure and a heritage-listed structure that has connected Murray Bridge to the surrounding areas since 1879. The bridge has long been a significant part of the region's transport network, enabling both road and pedestrian traffic. Recently, a large-scale refurbishment was undertaken with the South Australian government committing $46 million to increase the bridge's lifespan by an estimated 30 years. As part of its preservation and upgrade to modern standards, the Department of Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) initiated a lighting LED upgrade to enhance safety and visibility while maintaining the bridge's historical integrity. For more information about the upgrade refer here;

www.dit.sa.gov.au

The primary objectives were to enhance safety and visibility for vehicles and pedestrians while ensuring the protection of the surrounding environment, particularly the ecosystem of the River Murray beneath the bridge. WE-EF was selected for the project, bringing its expertise in delivering tailored lighting solutions that minimise environmental impact while maintaining historical integrity.

Bridging the Past and Future: Old Murray Bridge Upgrade by WE-EF.

Key Considerations:

The upgrade project for the Old Murray Bridge aimed to bring the lighting in line with DIT V-category standards, which ensure adequate visibility for vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Additionally, any interventions had to respect the bridge's heritage status, avoiding disruption to its iconic design. As a vital link for local transport, the lighting improvements needed to deliver energy efficiency and longevity, while seamlessly integrating with the bridge's aesthetic.

The lighting upgrade aimed to achieve several objectives:

• Safety and visibility: Bringing lighting levels up to DIT V-category standards for both the road and pedestrian pathways.
• Heritage preservation: All interventions had to align with the heritage status of the Old Murray Bridge, ensuring the new lighting complemented its historic design.
• Environmental protection: A key consideration was the minimisation of light spills into the River Murray to avoid disruption to the local aquatic ecosystem. Light pollution can negatively affect water-dwelling species, so it was crucial that the new lighting design focused on precision and control.

Bridging the Past and Future: Old Murray Bridge Upgrade by WE-EF.

Challenges:

The project posed several challenges:

• Heritage restrictions: Being a state heritage-listed structure, all upgrades needed to comply with strict guidelines to preserve the historical appearance of the bridge. Any lighting enhancements had to complement the heritage aesthetic without being intrusive.
• Custom mounting requirements: Due to the design of the bridge and the existing infrastructure, installing the PLS430 luminaires required bespoke mounting solutions.
• Performance needs: The lighting upgrade is needed to significantly improve road and pedestrian safety by enhancing illumination levels across the bridge and surrounding pathways while maintaining energy efficiency.
• Minimising light spill: Protecting the river ecosystem below the bridge was a critical aspect of the project. Excessive light spills could disrupt aquatic wildlife, so the luminaires needed to be carefully selected and installed to focus light precisely where it was needed, without illuminating unnecessary areas.

Solution:

WE-EF delivered a tailored lighting solution that addressed these challenges effectively:

• Custom mounting boxes: To meet the mounting challenges of the PLS430 fittings, WE-EF designed and developed bespoke mounting boxes. This allowed for secure installation without disrupting the heritage appearance of the bridge.
• High-performance luminaires: WE-EF installed 26 x VFL530 street and area luminaires alongside 20 x PLS430 wall luminaires, 10 x ETC320 inground uplights, and 6 x VLR120 wall luminaires. These luminaires provided efficient and durable lighting for both the main road and pedestrian pathways on and adjacent to the bridge.
• Durability and longevity: The luminaires were selected for their robust construction and ability to withstand the demanding conditions of the outdoor environment. WE-EF's 10-year warranty also provided the assurance of long-term performance with minimal maintenance.
• Optical control: WE-EF was selected for its reputation for precision optics, as the VFL530s were able to effectively illuminate vehicle and pedestrian traffic areas without unnecessary waste; directing light precisely where needed, with zero upward light (ADSA approved) and avoiding unnecessary spill light into the Murray River below.

Bridging the Past and Future: Old Murray Bridge Upgrade by WE-EF.

Result:

The lighting upgrade successfully met all project objectives. The new lighting enhances visibility and safety for road users and pedestrians while adhering to the DIT's V-category standards. By focusing on precise optical control, WE-EF minimised light spill into the River Murray, protecting the local aquatic ecosystem from disruption. The use of high-performance luminaires ensured both environmental protection and historical preservation, resulting in a sustainable long-lasting solution for the Old Murray Bridge. The project highlights WE-EF's expertise in delivering custom solutions for heritage-listed infrastructure, preserving the character of the bridge while meeting modern safety and performance requirements.