Austroads has released a set of flood risk strategies for bridge engineers, asset managers and decision-makers facing more frequent extreme weather events.
Austroads Guideline for Flood Response and Recovery for Bridges offers a preparation-based approach. It recommends risk assessments for scour, alongside structured condition assessments and prioritisation. This will guide infrastructure managers in allocating resources and putting protective measures in place ahead of weather events.
Decision-making during floods is also covered, with operational thresholds and closure criteria that balance connectivity with safety.
The guide’s recovery recommendations are designed to help with decision-making about re-opening, taking into account structural integrity, traffic load and mitigation measures.
Austroads represents road agencies in Australia and New Zealand.
