Have your say on Plans for New Mulwala Bridge

HAVE YOUR SAY ON PLANS FOR NEW MULWALA BRIDGE

Locals are being asked for feedback to help determine the preferred alignment for a new bridge crossing at Lake Mulwala on the State’s Victorian border.

NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said Mulwala Bridge has been a vital transport link between the twin towns of Mulwala in NSW and Yarrawonga in Victoria since it was built in 1924.

“The NSW and Victorian Governments are working closely to deliver a safer, more reliable crossing for the 11,000 motorists who use it daily,” Mr Toole said.

“In 2015, the Victorian Department of Transport led investigations to identify the best location for a new river crossing which  endorsed the grey route as the preferred option of both the Victorian and NSW Government at that time.

“However, we know since then there’s been growing support from communities on both sides of the border for the green route which is why we’re coming back to the community with detailed information on both options for their feedback.

“I recently met with Federation Council, Moira Council (via videoconference) and Possum Purtle, of the Mulwala Progress Association, with Member for Albury Justin Clancy, to view and discuss the bridge from the NSW side, where strong support for the green route was again reiterated by the councils and community members.”

While planning for the new bridge continues, the NSW Government is powering ahead with $3.45 million of essential maintenance work, including repairing a damaged steel support structure, improving the pedestrian footpath, and upgrading the barrier rail to improve safety and reduce the need for ongoing maintenance of the bridge.

Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan said feedback would help drive planning for a new bridge to best meet the communities’ needs.

“We would like to better understand community issues, concerns and what residents’ value about each option as part of our planning process for a new bridge that will help improve congestion and safety issues associated with heavy vehicles using Belmore Street through the Yarrawonga CBD,” Ms Allan said.

“We’re calling 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.”

Submissions can be made through an online portal, or by email, post or phone until 30 July.

An online community information session will be held on Wednesday, 14 July at 1pm via nswroads.work/mulwalabridgeqanda.

A mapping tool displaying both route options is now available on the project website at http://nswroads.work/mulwalabridge.

. The community will be able to submit feedback within the mapping tool to specific areas along both routes.