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Paringa Bridge

Latest news

The bridge is fully operational for both road and boat users.

About the Bridge

The Paringa Bridge is part of the Sturt Highway and connects Renmark and Paringa by crossing the Murray River.

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. Following the closure of the railway in 1985, the track was removed, and a pedestrian walkway was constructed. The vertical lift span is manually raised to allow larger boats to pass through, which is important for many commercial houseboats that travel the river.

Opening hours

Large vessels are unable to pass underneath the bridge when the bridge in its lowered position.

The bridge opens daily at 9:30 am and 2:30 pm. You will 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 to arrange access.

Vessels passing under the 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).

Please check the clearance height before passing underneath the bridge as this may change depending on environmental factors including wind and water flow. Clearance height can be determined by subtracting the level at the underside of the bridge from the pool level. Pool levels are updated daily and can be found on the Water Connect Webpage. For Paringa Bridge, the pool level is to be taken from lock 5 upstream.

Safe operation

Many people operating ski boats or jet skis are often travelling near or under the bridge. When passing under the bridge in a powered vessel, it’s important you use the navigation pass which is in the marked channel under the bridge.

When using the navigation pass, vessel operators must operate safely and slow down.  It is an offence to travel outside of the navigation pass under the bridge, unless directed by the bridge operator.

Further Information

Please sign up to our Paringa Bridge maintenance work update to receive notification to stay informed about closures and any future works.

If you have any questions or would like to speak to a member of the project team, please