About us
News
Careers
Contact us
Projects
Property
Asset management
Public transport
Safety
Road, rail and marine
Cycling and walking
Licensing and registration
Information for contractors
Technical standards and guidelines
Pay an invoice
Publications and notices
Paringa Bridge access and updates
Paringa Bridge access and updates
Learn how to request bridge opening for large vessels and subscribe to stay up to date with any future works.
Repair works on the Paringa Bridge have been successfully completed.
Regular operations have resumed and the Paringa Bridge will open daily at 9.30am and 2.30pm.
We would like to thank river users, commuters and residents for their patience while repairs have been underway.
About the project
The Paringa Bridge is part of the Sturt Highway and connects Renmark and Paringa by crossing the Murray River.
The vertical lift span is manually raised to allow larger boats to pass through. This is important for many commercial houseboats that travel the river.
Paringa Bridge
Large vessel access
Large vessels cannot pass underneath the bridge when the bridge is in its lowered position.
The bridge opens daily at 9.30am and 2.30pm.
To arrange access you need to contact the Department’s Bridge Operator on 0408 955 322, or VHF Radio Channel 12 (24 hours) at least two hours in advance.
Vessels passing through the open bridge
If a vessel operator requires the bridge to open, they must sound three long blasts or wave a flag when it is no more than 600 m but at least 400 m from the bridge.
If the bridge operator is available, they will indicate:
- that the signal has been heard, by waving a red flag or flashing a red light
- that the vessel can proceed, by waving a green flag or flashing a green light.
Before going through the bridge, the vessel must sound one long then one short blast or wave a flag.
When the bridge is in its lowered position, the level at the underside of the bridge is 19.8m (AHD).
Clearance height
Check the clearance height before passing under the bridge. This could change because of environmental factors such as wind and water flow.
Determine clearance height by subtracting the level at the underside of the bridge from the pool level. Pool levels are updated daily on Water Connect Webpage.
For Paringa Bridge, take the pool level from lock 5 upstream.
Safe operation of ski boats and jet skis
Many people operating ski boats or jet skis often travel near or under the bridge. When passing under the bridge in a powered vessel, it’s important you use the navigation pass in the marked channel under the bridge.
When using the navigation pass, vessel operators must operate safely and slow down. It's an offence to travel outside of the navigation pass under the bridge, unless directed by the bridge operator.
Report an issue
If you see a marine safety issue please report a marine safety concern.
Subscribe to project updates
Our privacy statement outlines what information we collect, how we use it and store it.
You can unsubscribe using the link in the email.
Project background
Opened in January 1927, the Paringa Bridge is one of a series of lifting span bridges crossing the Murray River, but the only one in South Australia. It was constructed as a combined road and rail bridge.
After the railway was closed in 1985, the track was removed and a pedestrian walkway was constructed.
