Freight operators and producers will soon travel safer, with works to build a new bridge on Girgarre-Rushworth Road between Stanhope and Rushworth now underway.
Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne today announced crews have begun dismantling the existing bridge over the Waranga Western Channel and will build the new and stronger bridge in its place.
The existing bridge was built in 1977 and had a load limit of 42.5 tonnes due to its declining condition.
The Andrews Labor Government is investing $4.9 million for the new bridge, which will enable all heavy vehicles over 42.5 tonnes to return to the section of Girgarre-Rushworth Road.
It includes drivers travelling to and from the Fonterra cheese processing plant at Stanhope, one of the region's major dairy companies.
Crews will also construct abutments to support the new bridge, install safety barriers on the approach to prevent run-off-road collisions and construct new road pavement.
Girgarre-Rushworth Road will be closed at the Waranga Western Channel during construction with detours in place.
Heavy vehicles should use the two existing detour options via approved heavy vehicle routes through Corop and Colbinabbin or Murchison and Tatura.
Work on the new bridge is expected to be completed by mid-2023.
As stated by Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne
"We're investing in this new bridge so freight operators and producers in northern Victoria can have safer and more reliable journeys."
"Once complete, the bridge will enable all heavy vehicles to return to Girgarre-Rushworth Road and get them where they need to go."
As stated by Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes
"Heavy vehicle drivers are vital to our growing economy and communities and the new bridge will make journeys safer and more efficient for our farmers and producers in northern Victoria."
