Projects

San Remo/Phillip Island bridge inspections

We’re carrying out inspections on the San Remo/Phillip Island Bridge as part of the ongoing management of this vital piece of Phillip Island’s infrastructure.

Project status:

Underway

Update – July 2024

Inspections on the San Remo/Phillip Island Bridge will take place from late-July 2024 until October 2024.

The inspections involve using a Bridge Inspection Unit to inspect the sides and underneath the bridge. Expert divers will also be used at times for underwater structural inspections.

The data collected will be used to assess the structural condition, performance and load capacity of the bridge.

Long-term planning for improvements to the San Remo Bridge is crucial to Phillip Island's future and tourism industry.

Our bridge inspections will happen concurrently with Westernport Water’s project to refurbish the main drinking water and sewage infrastructure connected to the underside of the San Remo Bridge.

Both project teams will work to minimise the impact to road users and pedestrians and coordinate any lane closures or other traffic disruptions.

Traffic impacts

A 40km/h speed limit and lane closures will be in place during works to protect everyone’s safety.

Lane closures will occur from 8pm to 5am, Sunday to Thursday. Daytime inspections involving lane closures may also take place during off-peak times. There will be no lane closures on Friday nights, weekends or during the Victorian school holidays.

There will be no change to the bridge load limit of 42.5 tonne that is in place from 1 July 2024 until late September 2024 as part of Westernport Water’s Pipeline Bracket Renewal project.

Please look out for changed traffic conditions and allow up to 5 minutes extra travel time.

Expert divers will be used at times for underwater structural inspections. We will advise marine operators in advance if there are any disruptions as part of these inspections.

Thank you for your patience as we carry out these important bridge inspections.

Protecting our environment

Environmental approvals for these works have been obtained.

We have made sure our night inspections of the bridge don’t coincide with the migration period of Shearwaters as these birds are attracted to lights.

Background

Phillip Island is a premier tourist destination in Victoria, attracting more than 1.8 million people each year and it is predicted to reach up to 3.5 million a year by 2035.

Bass Coast Shire is one of Victoria’s fastest growing local government authorities. Between 10,000 and 15,000 vehicles travel on Phillip Island Road daily, a figure growing at a rate of 4.25% each year.

The inspections will identify if any repairs to the bridge are required and inform an updated long-term maintenance strategy for the bridge.

Westernport Water’s San Remo Bridge Pipeline Bracket Renewal

Westernport Water is refurbishing the main drinking water and sewage infrastructure connected to the underside of the bridge as part of its Pipeline Bracket Renewal project.

A temporary 42.5 tonne load limit will be in place from 1 July 2024 until late September 2024 while scaffolding is installed for the three central spans of the bridge.

For further information see Westernport Water’s San Remo Bridge Pipeline Bracket Renewal project web page.