Bridge receives upgrades

The maintenance work included an upgrading to the barrier rail across the bridge to improve safety for motorists and provide greater protection for the steel truss spans; improving the pedestrian footpath and replacing a vertical section of steel, or strut.

A Transport for NSW spokesperson said Transport for NSW would like to thank the Yarrawonga and Mulwala community for their support and patience.

“The $3.45 million maintenance work on the Mulwala bridge across the Murray River to repair a damaged steel support structure, upgrade of the rail and footpath, and resurface the road on the Mulwala side approach was completed in August, ahead of schedule as the weather was also favourable for most of the work.

“Transport for NSW crews successfully used a new concreting tool which created time efficiencies for the barrier post installation.”

As part of the works completed, Transport for NSW replaced a strut that was damaged by a wide load.

The strut was replaced to avoid deterioration that would be more time consuming and costly to repair in the future.

The damaged strut member does not impact on the structural integrity of the bridge.

This maintenance work was originally scheduled to take place in mid-2020 and then again in early 2021 but was postponed both times after the NSW/Victorian border was closed due to Coronavirus outbreaks and restrictions.

The Mulwala Bridge was built in 1924 providing a vital transport link between Mulwala and Yarrawonga.

On average, more than 8500 vehicles use the bridge every day and it is essential that the structure is maintained in a safe and serviceable condition for the local community and visitors alike.

In previous consultation for the proposed new bridge Regional Roads Victoria consulted with the community in 2014 on crossing and connection options known as the ‘grey’ and ‘green’ routes for a new bridge.

The ‘Grey’ option was the favoured option and endorsed by the NSW and Victorian governments in 2015.

Three years later 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.

“Community feedback for the most recent bridge survey has closed and all comments are being reviewed,” a Transport for NSW spokesperson said.

“These will be summarised in a consultation summary report to be released to the community and available on the project website by end of this year.”

The Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA), Transport for NSW and Regional Roads Victoria confirmed last month that October 15 would see the permanent closure of the weir bridge crossing.

The main traffic bridge of Yarrawonga Mulwala has received some much-needed upgrades with the works completed ahead of schedule.