Yarrawonga bridge to close

Traffic can use the main bridge connecting Yarrawonga and Mulwala.

Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA), Transport for NSW and Regional Roads Victoria have confirmed the date of the weir crossing closure after extended delays due to COVID-19 and maintenance works on the Yarrawonga Mulwala bridge.

MDBA head of river management Andrew Reynolds said the crossing was being closed to regular traffic to ensure the ongoing safety of weir workers and to protect the integrity of the structure as an essential component of water management on the Murray River.

“It’s certainly the end of an era, as the crossing has been an important part of the region's history since the weir was opened in 1939,” Mr Reynolds said.

“However, first and foremost the weir controls the flow of water in the river and enables reliable supply to communities along the Murray as well as irrigators connected to the Yarrawonga Main Channel in Victoria and the Mulwala Canal in NSW.

“Closure of the weir bridge will mean people wishing to drive across the river between NSW and Victoria will need to use the main bridge that connects the Yarrawonga and Mulwala communities.

“The MDBA first announced in 2000 that the weir bridge was set to close in 2020.

“We have been working in collaboration with Transport for NSW and Regional Roads Victoria to limit as far as possible the impact of the closure.”

Department of Transport's Hume region director Steve Bowmaker said the MDBA’s commitment to working co-operatively with the state road agencies to select a closing date had assisted with planning for the changes.

“This change will affect traffic patterns as road users come to rely on the Yarrawonga Mulwala bridge as the sole means of driving across the river,” Mr Bowmaker said.

“Importantly, people will still be able to walk or ride their bikes across the weir.”

On average, 1500 crossings of the weir are made each day, compared with 8200 crossings of the Yarrawonga Mulwala bridge (pre-COVID-19 figures).