Mulwala Bridge repairs will commence next month to ensure safe, reliable crossing on the NSW/VIC border according to Transport for NSW.
A Transport for NSW spokesperson said the $3.45 million funding of essential maintenance work will include repairing a damaged steel support structure, improving the pedestrian footpath, and upgrading the barrier rail to improve safety and reduce the need for ongoing maintenance of the bridge.
“While planning work for a new bridge continues with Regional Roads Victoria, essential maintenance of the existing bridge will continue to ensure a safe, strong and easily accessible crossing of Lake Mulwala for the Yarrawonga and Mulwala communities and the 8,500 vehicles that use the bridge each day,” the spokesperson said.
“Due to these repairs being delayed by the pandemic border closures for several months, the two stages of maintenance work will now be delivered concurrently, with work expected to take about nine months, weather and border changes permitting.
“The past 12 months have been challenging for our local border towns and we want to get the job done, the right way, with as little impact to the community as possible.
“Mulwala Bridge was built in 1924 and provides a vital transport link across Lake Mulwala, between the twin towns of Mulwala in NSW and Yarrawonga in Victoria.
”With the help of the Murray Darling Basin Authority, Transport for NSW has arranged for the Yarrawonga Weir crossing to remain open while work on the Mulwala Bridge is taking shape.
“Making sure this work is completed before the closure of the Yarrawonga Weir crossing demonstrates Transport for NSW’s commitment to working with and for the local community to provide continued access over Lake Mulwala.
“We have listened to what the community has to say about Mulwala Bridge and it must be maintained until a new crossing can be built.”
Essential repairs on the Mulwala Bridge will support 17 jobs on this stage of the project.
The first stage of work will be mostly completed at night, with a single lane open to traffic, between 9pm and 6am, from Monday to Thursday, starting Monday 1 March.
To minimise the impacts to road users, work will stop during the Easter and April school holidays.
During repairs, Mulwala Bridge will remain open to pedestrians and cyclists at all times.
Some day shifts and short-term closures of the bridge may occur after the holidays, with traffic diverted to the Yarrawonga Weir crossing.
The program of work for Mulwala Bridge will continually be reviewed in light of any changes to border restrictions.
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