WORKS are under way to widen the approaches to the Pratt Road bridge in response to requests from local residents.
Gannawarra Shire Council is overseeing the work, which will improve accessibility for larger vehicles approaching the bridge.
The improvements follow a petition presented to council in August 2023 calling for road improvements around the Reedy Lake and Middle Lakes areas to enable easier access for machinery and trucks.
“This petition asked council to maintain an unnamed road that connects Pratt Road to Robertson and West roads as the West Road bridge that spans the Loddon River is easier for larger vehicles to navigate compared to the Pratt Road bridge that spans the connection between Reedy and Middle lakes,” council chief executive Geoff Rollinson said.
“After receiving the petition, council officers investigated options to improve access over the Pratt Road bridge verses improving access via some unmade and unmaintained roads.
“The option to improve access across Pratt Road bridge was preferred as the other route included a track that was on Crown Land and the necessary removal of a substantial amount of native vegetation to provide adequate clearance for machinery.”
As part of the improvements, the approaches to either side of the bridge are being widened, with guard railing to be extended and realigned.
“These improvements have been designed to cater for the movement of B-double vehicles which require a greater turning area to access the bridge,” Mr Rollinson said.
“Council thanks residents for their advocacy for these improvements and looks forward to seeing motorists benefit from these works.”
