Echuca-Moama bridge project opens ahead of schedule

It’s been 50 years in the making and decades of community campaigning but now motorists can finally drive over Echuca-Moama’s new bridge. Watch the video.

The $323 million Echuca-Moama bridge, 50 years in the making, is officially open.

It is the second Murray River crossing for the community on the Victorian-NSW border and is expected to ease traffic congestion in the centre of Echuca by almost half.

Load limits will also increase by more than 20 tonne as national trucking companies alter their routes to include Moama and Echuca.

Campaspe Shire mayor Chrissy Weller said the magnitude of the opening could not be under estimated.

“It’s going to be a game-changer,” she said.

“We understand it could take 40 per cent of traffic away (from the current bridge) ... making it safer for motorists and pedestrians in time for the school holidays. The meaning of this is enormous.”

The bridge, which opened ahead of schedule, connects the Murray Valley Highway in Echuca with the Cobb Highway in Moama in NSW.

Echuca-Moama had been campaigning for a new bridge since the 1960s with a number of campaigns calling for funding from various levels of government.

Named after the Yorta Yorta word for the Murray River, the Dhungala Bridge is expected to remove vehicles from the existing bridge — near Echuca’s main streets — and ease congestion.

With only one bridge connecting the two towns, it caused major delays during peak tourism times including when the Southern 80, a ski race, is held at the start of the year.

Traffic has also been gridlocked when crashes have occurred on or near the bridge with no other alternative to cross the twin towns.

Cr Weller said 8000 people attended a community open day on Sunday ahead of the officially opening on Monday.

“To see the impact it had on older generations (at the open day) was special,” she said.

“It’s been talked about for 50 years.

“It’s always been about connecting our two towns and now we can finally do that.”

It comes as Monday’s official opening was marred by a political pit fight as state and federal transport ministers accused each other of dudding the regions.

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce faced off against his Victorian counterpart Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan at the opening.

Speaking to the media alongside Ms Allan, Mr Joyce faced questions about the rift and said “phones worked in both directions last time I checked”.