Barwon Heads Bridge
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The Barwon Heads bridge that crosses the Barwon River is an important part of the cultural history of the region. Constructed in 1927, it replaced the passenger ferry that linked Barwon Heads with Ocean Grove.
In late November 2008 the State Government announced that the existing bridge would be replaced with two bridges , a new road bridge 6m south of the existing bridge and a new pedestrian bridge a further 10m south. Worked commenced mid 2009.
Background
In early 2005 VicRoads held local community forums to discuss options for a new bridge to cross the Barwon River, however a proposal by VicRoads to demolish the Bridge was refused by Heritage Victoria in July 2006
The State Government established the Barwon Heads Advisory Committee to assess the overall merits of various options to replace the Heritgae listed bridge including building a new bridge either on the existing alignment or at Geelong Rd. and secondly to recommend a preferred option.
The Advisory Committee in their January 2007 report recommended that the existing bridge be repaired and adapted as the road bridge for Barwon Heads and that VicRoads work with Heritage Victoria to develop a refined option that delivers the best heritage outcome.
VicRoads developed a plan based on the Advisory Committees resolve ie If the existing bridge cannot be adapted to meet all identified needs then a pedestrian and cycle bridge be constructed adjacent to the bridge.
This plan involves the reconstruction and adaption of the existing road bridge together with the construction of a parallel bridge for pedestrians, cyclists and fishermen downstream of the existing bridge. The second bridge is to be built 4.5m wide to accommodate its use as a road bridge during the reconstruction of the existing road bridge.
The existing bridge is to be shifted laterally by 6.3m south with a gap of a minimum of 10m to the 4.5m wide second bridge resulting in the most downstream point of the second bridge being approx 21m south of its existing location.
In August 2008 Heritage Victoria granted a permit for the reconstruction and adaptation of the Barwon Heads Bridge. Heritage Victoria were not required to review / consider / approve the second bridge.
In late November 2008 the State Government announced that the two bridge proposal had received both Coastal Management Act consent and Planning approval
With the announcement that the two bridge option will proceed, Barwon Coast will work with VicRoads to get the best possible outcome for the environment