Work continues on new bridge at Rossbridge

The new $3.4 million bridge will be better equipped to handle the traffic and heavy vehicle volumes that rely on this road every day, as well as the local community and grain industry.

Mortlake-Ararat Road has been closed and detours put in place from 2 September to allow Downer EDI Works Pty Ltd to build a new bridge on the site of the two existing 63-year-old bridges.

Work to widen the approaches on the project started in May, with the new bridge expected to open in mid-February.

Existing detours remain in place until the bridge re-opens to traffic.

After it opens, there will be ongoing road works and speed restrictions still in place while the project is completed.

Motorists are encouraged to drive safely in the vicinity of road works.

The Mortlake-Ararat Road carries more than 700 vehicles per day and 30 per cent of this traffic is heavy vehicles travelling between nearby farms and town centres.

The old bridge structures had deteriorated over the years and their load carrying capacity was at risk of being compromised, resulting in load restrictions and a reduced speed limit being put in place.

VicRoads is working with Ararat Rural City Council to ensure any deterioration to roads of the bypass routes is repaired.

VicRoads thanks the community and motorists in the region for their patience while we undertake these important works, and will keep them updated as construction nears completion.