Update - 10 October 2025

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.