Essential maintenance work on the 97-year old Mulwala Bridge across the Murray River has finished a month ahead of schedule.
Mulwala Bridge was built in 1924 and provides a vital transport link across Lake Mulwala, between the twin towns of Mulwala in New South Wales and Yarrawonga in Victoria.
New South Wales Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said crews had worked around the clock to carry out the $3.45 million maintenance work to repair a damaged steel support structure, upgrade the barrier rail and pedestrian footpath, and resurface the road on the Mulwala side approach.
“Not only has this essential maintenance work improved safety for motorists and pedestrians, but it will also reduce the need for ongoing maintenance of the bridge and minimise the need for further disruptions for road users,” Mr Toole said.
“Crews of up to 20 people worked overnight and on weekends to deliver this maintenance work with minimal disruption to the 11,000 motorists who use the bridge daily.”
Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan said the completion of the maintenance work comes as the feedback period closed for community consultation on the proposed new bridge alignment to link Mulwala to Yarrawonga.
“In June, both governments called for community feedback to help us progress planning for a new bridge, which will not only create a more accessible crossing of Lake Mulwala for freight operators, but will also eliminate ongoing maintenance costs of the old bridge,” Ms Allan said.
“We’re very thankful to the community for their feedback to help drive plans for the new bridge that will help improve congestion and safety issues associated with heavy vehicles using Belmore Street through the Yarrawonga CBD.
“All comments are currently being reviewed and the consultation summary report is in the early stages of being prepared, which will be released to the public in the coming months.”
In 2014, Regional Roads Victoria consulted with the community on crossing and connection options known as the ‘Grey’ and ‘Green’ routes for a new bridge between Mulwala and Yarrawonga.
The ‘Grey’ option was the favoured option and endorsed by the NSW and Victorian governments in 2015.
In 2018, the NSW and Victorian governments carried out the Murray River Crossings Investment Prioritisation Assessment to help inform and prioritise future investment decisions by ranking each crossing over the Murray River.
The assessment reviewed 32 bridge and ferry assets and considered freight connectivity, road safety, reliability, condition, proximity to alternate crossings and pedestrian and cyclist facilities.
Mulwala Bridge was ranked eighth highest priority for investment, behind Swan Hill, Tooleybuc, Abbotsford, John Foord, Murrabit, Towong and George Chaffey bridges.
Mulwala Bridge is currently open for freight operators and residents living in the NSW-Victoria border bubble, who can cross the border without a permit for essential reasons only.
A police checkpoint has been set up on the Yarrawonga side of the bridge.
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