Skip to main content

State Bridge Data - Research Summary

This document summarizes the availability and status of bridge load limit and height clearance data across all Australian states and territories.

Data Availability by State​

StateDataset AvailableCoverageFormatStatus
QLD✅ YesState-controlled roadsArcGIS APIComplete
NSW✅ YesState roads vertical clearancesExcel/APIComplete
VIC✅ YesAll road bridgesCSVComplete
WA✅ YesMain Roads structuresGeoJSONComplete
TAS✅ YesLoad limited roads & bridgesArcGIS APIComplete
ACT✅ YesAll bridge assetsSocrata JSONComplete
SA⚠️ PartialAdelaide City Council onlyLimitedNHVR only
NT⚠️ NoNo dedicated dataset-NHVR only

State Details​

Queensland (QLD)​

  • Dataset: State controlled roads bridges
  • Portal: data.qld.gov.au
  • API: ArcGIS REST MapServer
  • Records Imported: 2,000 bridges
  • Coverage: State-controlled roads (excludes local government)
  • Update Frequency: Regular government updates

New South Wales (NSW)​

  • Dataset: NSW State Roads Vertical Clearances
  • Portal: Transport for NSW Open Data
  • Format: Excel (XLSX)
  • Records Imported: 1,153 vertical clearances
  • Coverage: State roads managed by Transport for NSW
  • Key Data: Height clearances from 2.19m to 18.10m
  • Last Updated: October 2023

Victoria (VIC)​

  • Dataset: Road Bridges
  • Portal: Transport Victoria Open Data
  • Format: CSV
  • Records Imported: 6,540 bridges
  • With Height Data: 4,410 bridges
  • Coverage: Comprehensive statewide bridge dataset
  • Special Features: Includes rail overpasses, bridge types, structure forms

Western Australia (WA)​

  • Dataset: Structures (Bridges, Tunnels, Sign Gantries)
  • Portal: Main Roads WA Open Data
  • Format: GeoJSON via ArcGIS
  • Records Imported: 3,158 structures
  • Coverage: Main Roads WA infrastructure
  • Update Frequency: Weekly
  • Special Features: Multiple RAV network datasets available

Tasmania (TAS)​

  • Dataset: Load Limited Roads and Bridges
  • Portal: State Growth Tasmania
  • API: ArcGIS REST MapServer
  • Records Imported: 1,170 (42 bridges, 1,128 roads)
  • Coverage: Complete Tasmania coverage
  • Key Data: Load limits from 2t to 50t
  • Special Features: Asset owner information, detailed load limits

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)​

  • Dataset: ACTGOV Bridge Assets
  • Portal: data.act.gov.au
  • API: Socrata Open Data API
  • Records Imported: 1,314 bridge assets
  • Coverage: All bridge assets in ACT
  • Special Features: Asset types, ownership, location data

South Australia (SA)​

  • Dataset: Bridge or Culvert
  • Portal: data.sa.gov.au
  • Limitation: ⚠️ Adelaide City Council area only
  • Coverage: Adelaide metro only (not statewide)
  • Decision: Rely on NHVR national data for SA
  • Reason: Limited local dataset, NHVR provides better coverage

Northern Territory (NT)​

  • Dataset: None available
  • Coverage: NHVR national data only
  • Alternative Sources: Road Report NT (limited restriction info)
  • Note: May require contacting Department of Logistics and Infrastructure

National Coverage​

NHVR (All States)​

  • Dataset: HML Networks (Heavy Vehicle Networks)
  • Coverage: National heavy vehicle network
  • Records Imported: 101,333 restrictions
  • Format: ArcGIS REST API
  • Covers: All Australian states and territories
  • Special Features:
    • Approved routes
    • Restricted routes
    • Conditional routes
    • Height clearances

Data Quality Notes​

Best Coverage​

  • VIC: 6,540 bridges with comprehensive data
  • NSW: 1,153 precise height measurements
  • WA: 3,158 well-documented structures

Limited Coverage​

  • SA: Adelaide City Council only, rely on NHVR
  • NT: No dedicated dataset, NHVR coverage only

Special Considerations​

  • VIC: Some bridges lack height measurements (2,130 records)
  • WA: Multiple specialized datasets available
  • TAS: Excellent load limit detail
  • ACT: Complete but small dataset (territory size)

Import Scripts​

See the overview page for import commands and script details.

Future Improvements​

  1. South Australia: Investigate statewide datasets beyond Adelaide City Council
  2. Northern Territory: Contact Department of Logistics and Infrastructure for dedicated dataset
  3. Victoria: Fill 2,130 missing height measurements (see VIC Rail Overpasses)
  4. Regular Updates: Schedule quarterly re-imports from all active sources