Omeo Highway: Historic bridge damaged by flash flooding in Cobungra River

A major change has been made to the weight limit on vehicles crossing a historic bridge in the high country damaged by flooding. See another key exemption.

Fire tankers will be exempt from a revised weight limit for a bridge on the Omeo Highway recently damaged by flash flooding.

The Cobungra River bridge at Anglers Rest has reopened to vehicles under 23 tonnes following more structural assessments and repair works.

It was initially reopened to light vehicles weighing five tonnes.

A speed limit of 20km/h and the requirement for only one vehicle using the bridge at one time remain in place.

An aerial view of the Cobungra River bridge and Blue Duck Inn at Anglers Rest in East Gippsland.

“Our crews expect to commence works to repair the damaged abutment in early November, with an anticipated completion in December,” Transport and Planning Department Gippsland region director Beth Liley said.

“Safety is always our priority, and we appreciate the community’s understanding as we undertake these vital repair works in order to remove the load limit on the bridge.”

The alternative route for heavy vehicles over 23 tonnes travelling between Omeo and Mitta Mitta remains the Great Alpine Road or Benambra-Corryong Road.

The bridge built in the 1930s has heritage significance and Heritage Victoria representatives have also been on site and completed inspections.

EARLIER COVERAGE

A heritage-significant timber bridge between Omeo and Mitta Mitta that was severely damaged by flash flooding more than a week ago has been reopened to light vehicles only.

Five-tonne vehicles travelling at 20km/h are the only ones permitted to use the nearly century-old bridge on the Omeo Highway, until strengthening works are carried out to remove the weight limit so livestock trucks and caravans can return.

Heavy vehicles must use the Great Alpine Road or Benambra-Corryong Road to travel between East Gippsland and the northeast while the weight restrictions are in place.

High country advocate Di Carroll said the state’s first gazetted highway was a critical route for farmers and tourism.

“With a weight limit in place it restricts so many people,” she said.

“Even an ambulance or fire truck couldn’t get over the bridge at the moment.

“With summer coming up it needs to be fixed.

“VicRoads are telling people to go over Hotham, but for the locals that is an extra four or five hours.”

The Cobungra River bridge at Anglers Rest between Omeo and Mitta Mitta. Picture: VicRoads

Bridge railing was damaged by a truck travelling south before the flash flooding event, when more than 100mm of rain fell.

The Cobungra River bridge was built in the 1930s to serve the Glen Wills gold mining area.

The iconic Blue Duck pub at Anglers Rest is located nearby and part-owner Michael Mullins said the temporary closure had “put a lot of people out”.

“It came up to nearly the exact level of 2014 so we’ve been through it before,” he said.

“Water overlapped the bridge again, but our business just stopped.”

Blue Duck Inn part-owner Lana Antony at the historic time bridge in 2014 when the Omeo Highway was fully sealed between Omeo and Mitta Mitta.

He said the pub was preparing for one of its busiest periods when “thousands” of motorcycle riders travel the Omeo Highway to Phillip Island for the Grand Prix.

Transport and Planning Department Gippsland region director Beth Liley said: “Safety is always our priority.

“We appreciate the community’s understanding as our crews undertook vital repair works in order to reopen the bridge safely.”