Bridge to be replaced

Work to replace Allenders Bridge on Warrak Road east of Ararat has started.

Ararat Rural City Council chief executive Tim Harrison said the bridge – next to the Hopkins Correctional Facility – had to be replaced due to structural issues.

He said work started with the closure of Warrak Road last week and the demolition of the concrete structure.

Dr Harrison said the work was expected to take about six weeks, weather dependent.

“The current bridge has had a load limit on it for some time because of structural issues, which has limited the type of heavy vehicles that have been able to use the road,” he said.

“The new bridge will not have a load limit, which will allow all vehicles to use the bridge again.”

Dr Harrison said detours would be in place along Warrayatkin Road and Down Road while Warrak Road was closed, however ‘local’ traffic would still be able to access properties and prison staff would be allowed through to their workplace.

“Warrayatkin and Down roads are both gravel roads so we encourage drivers to take care and drive to conditions when using the detour,” he said.

Ararat council and Federal Government, through Roads to Recovery program, are funding the $443,000 project.

Dr Harrison said work had been completed on a culvert bridge on Down Road in April, which had enabled the detour to be put in place.

In another roads project, the Ararat council has had to carry out emergency repair work to a bridge on Williamsons Road, Wickliffe.