Great Ocean Road bridges get upgrade funding

BRIDGES in Moggs Creek and Wye River on the Great Ocean Road will be replaced as part of more than $7 million in funding from a federal government program.

Last week, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester announced the successful proposals to round three of the Bridges Renewal Program.

The $2.39 million grant towards the $4.78 million project in Wye River will replace and widen the two-lane concrete bridge, increasing its load limit from 50 tonnes to 166 tonnes, which will extend the bridge’s useful life and allow for improved community access, heavy vehicle access, safety and the removal of a potential 90-kilometre detour if the bridge fails or load restrictions are enforced.

In Moggs Creek, the $1.98 million funding towards the $3.97 million project will also increase the bridge’s load limit from 50 tonnes to 166 tonnes, as well as extending its operational life by up to 100 years, improving safety, and removing the possibility of a 14-kilometre detour.

Both projects are being managed by VicRoads.

Four bridge projects for the Bayside Road Bridge and Cowie Creek Bridge in North Geelong will also receive more than $2.8 million in funding.

Corangamite federal member Sarah Henderson said the Bridges Renewal Program was designed to bolster the productivity of local bridges and give councils the support they need to better serve communities and drive greater efficiency in traffic movement.