ADELAIDE Plains Council (APC) will once again put forward the deteriorating Wasleys Bridge for federal funding in a bid to save it from being closed to motorists.

At its August meeting last Monday, council voted to apply for funding from the Department of Infrastructure’s Bridge Renewal Program, a year after it was knocked back from the same funding.

The restoration of the bridge would cost $95,000, with council to submit a 2019/20 budget revision to include its share of the funding if it is successful.

If the bid is again unsuccessful, the council will undertake public consultation to gauge whether it should enforce load and speed conditions when crossing the bridge, or close it all together.

In 2013, a 12-tonne load limit was placed on the bridge after a report into the condition of the bridge was released by the neighbouring Light Regional Council.

APC will spend $25,000 this financial year to complete short-term works on the bridge, but a report presented to elected members stated its future, as it is currently used, was dependent on receiving federal funding.

“If the funding application is successful, the need to undertake consultation in relation to either closure or reduced load limit/local traffic only would not need to occur,” the report read.

“However, if unsuccessful and given the nearby alternative routes available and heritage component, an option is to close the bridge to vehicular traffic.

“This is expected to have minimal impact on the local community and commercial and agricultural businesses due to the existing load limit on the bridge.

“Due to the heritage significance of the Wasleys Road Bridge, council should consider ways of prolonging the life of the bridge.”