Gipps Street Bridge

Council is committed to keeping Port Fairy connected as while we work towards the permanent solution of a new bridge. Recent Engineer advice have now advised confirms that changes to the single-lane traffic and weight limits are necessary for safety reasons.

Key changes

1. From 6am on Monday 13 October 2025 the vehicle weight limit will be reduced from 15 tonnes to 10 tonnes. This means that bridge traffic will primarily be limited to light and medium rigid vehicles operating under 10t only.

2. From Wednesday 9 October the current one-lane traffic flow will be realigned to the centre of the bridge, with a 3 metre wide lane .

3. Traffic control systems will remain in place.

4. The current 20km/h speed limit is unchanged.

Please remember that these are enforceable measures. They have been put in place to keep users safe and will help to prolong the life of the current bridge.

Why these changes are needed

A recent condition assessment of 30 bridge piles found two piles below the waterline, one on each side of the bridge, are structurally compromised. Council is working closely with bridge and structural engineers on solutions, but until it is confirmed what can be done and when, we must ensure that there can still be safe, but limited vehicle access across the bridge. Council continues to regularly monitor the condition of the bridge.

The new reduced weight limit will impact on a number of vehicles including:

• School buses and 57-seater coaches
• Garbage trucks
• Some emergency service vehicles
• Some two-axle medium rigid trucks over 10 tonnes
• Motorhomes with a gross combined mass of over 10 tonnes
• A range of delivery and other vehicles.

Organisations impacted by these changes are being contacted by Council.

Traffic Information

Digital information boards will be placed along the Princes Highway notifying of the change, and weight limit signage will be updated with the new load limit. Information will also provided through the Department of Transport’s VicTraffic website and the NHVR network map.

At this time, Council expects these measures will be in place for up to one month, but we will communicate any changes to this time frame.

We understand these measures will cause delays and create disruption and we do appreciate that having one lane and a reduced load limit is inconvenient. But the safety of everyone must come first.

You can also keep up to date with the Gipps Street project through Council’s Engage Moyne project page.

Council is conducting weekly inspections of the bridge to ensure the safety of all bridge users.

We check structural elements of the bridge, making sure that connections from beams to the substructure to the deck are all sound, as well as the deck surface . If any abnormalities are identified, they will be promptly analysed and actions can be determined.

Previous detailed inspections on the bridge in 2007 and 2012 made recommendations on works to prolong its safe working life, which were completed. Since then further works were undertaken in 2016 to replace some bearers and decking timbers.

We again ask the community to observe the 20km/h speed limit and 15-tonne load limit. These measures will help extend the lifespan of the bridge until it can be replaced.

A 15-tonne load limit on Gipps Street Bridge will be introduced from 5pm Friday 28 June 2024. This load limit reduction, in combination with the 20km/h speed limit over the bridge, will help extend the service life of this vital piece of infrastructure until it can be replaced.

The load limit does not impact garbage collection or public transport, but any heavy vehicle with an operational mass exceeding 15 tonnes needing to access the East Beach area from Regent Street/Gipps Street intersection will now need to enter from the Princes Highway via Rosebrook, and then via Woodbine Road and Skenes Road. Heavy vehicles from the east will need to enter Port Fairy from the Princes Highway via Regent Street or Bank Street.

Moyne Shire Council has lowered the speed limits on the Gipps Street Bridge to 20km/h.

Council has also sought permission from the Department of Transport to reduce the load limit from 30 tonnes to 15 tonnes until the bridge replacement is completed.

The bridge is checked regularly and remains safe for pedestrians and vehicles.

Mayor Cr Ian Smith said these changes are required to ensure access can be maintained as the bridge approaches the end of its serviceable life.

“Council teams are continuing to plan for a full replacement of the bridge in 2025, with concept designs for a new concrete bridge complete - which will feature improved pedestrian and bicycle access.

“Applications have been made to a number of government programs for funding to assist with the replacement and talks are underway with agencies whose service infrastructure is located on the bridge.

“The metal plates on the bridge will also remain until the bridge is replaced as they are ensuring it remains open to vehicles.

“Consultation with community and businesses will begin next year on the construction timetable.

“The bridge is nearing the end of its functional life in terms of what can continually be renewed.

“The changes don’t mean the bridge is unsafe, we are just taking steps to ensure it remains serviceable for the next year as we approach replacement.”

Cr Smith said the community would be kept informed about the bridge replacement via Engage Moyne and council’s regular communications channels.