Load limit reduction and speed advisory measures are set to be implemented for a historical road bridge in Edgecombe, to support its long-term viability and ensure safety of road users in the short term.
Hodge’s Bridge on Boundary Road, Edgecombe is a single lane bridge, bordering both Mount Alexander Shire Council and Macedon Ranges Shire Council. Located between Barkers Road and Kyneton-Metcalfe Road, it provides access over the Campaspe River.
It was built circa 1880s, heritage-listed under both council’s planning schemes for its impressive bluestone abutments and piers.
The bridge is currently sign posted with a 12-tonne gross load limit. Engineering assessments had found the bridge structure to have been deteriorating over the years. To support its long-term viability and ensure safety of road users, interim measures will see the bridge’s load limit reduced from 12 tonnes down to 2.5 tonnes, with an advisory crossing speed limit of 20km/h.
With a recorded low volume of traffic and only a small number of nearby residents, these interim changes will mean that vehicles under the new load limit will still be able to safely use the bridge, until a more permanent, long-term solution is investigated. For vehicles over the load limit, detours will be in place via surrounding roads, with only minor delays expected. The installation of the signage advising of the reduced load limit will be installed in the area at the end of June 2024.
Both councils will continue conversations around the bridge’s long-term future and update the community accordingly.