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River Murray flood update: Lyrup ferry and Bookpurnong Road soon to be closed

Tuesday, 29 November 2022

The Lyrup ferry will be closed from tomorrow (Wednesday, 30 November), while Bookpurnong Road is expected to be closed within the coming days due to rising River Murray water levels.

The Department has been monitoring ferries and local roads with the aim of keeping them open for as long as possible, provided they were safe for the community to use.

River Murray ferries

The ferry at Lyrup will be closed from 7pm on Wednesday, 30 November.

The ferry is expected to remain closed while flood conditions remain above 120GL/day.

Alternative river crossings are at Paringa Bridge (upstream) and Berri bridge (downstream).

All other ferry services are currently operating as normal (as of 4pm, 29 November). However, it is expected that the Morgan ferry is likely to close next week as flows and water levels continue to rise.

Bookpurnong Road

Bookpurnong Road, between Berri and Kemp Road, is anticipated to be closed soon, potentially from Thursday 1 December.

The Department is endeavouring to keep all roads open as long as it is safe to do so, with teams undertaking regular assessments of Bookpurnong Road and other low-lying roads in the region.

Once Bookpurnong Road is closed, all vehicles (including light and heavy vehicles) will need to use the existing detour via Stanitzki Road to Sturt Highway, through Paringa and Renmark and onto Old Sturt Highway, Berri.

Currently, Bookpurnong Road is:

  • Closed to all heavy vehicle traffic.
  • Open for two-way travel for light vehicles with speed restricted to 60km/h.

For the safety of all road users, motorists should not stop on Bookpurnong Road or the side of the road except in an emergency.

Conditions can change quickly and roads and ferries may have to be closed at short notice.

Locals and river-goers are reminded not to swim, ride, walk or drive through high flow waterways.

To find the status of all River Murray ferries, as well as latest information advice during River Murray floods, visit www.sa.gov.au/floods.