Great Ocean Road bridge replacement at Wye River

Construction to replace the Great Ocean Road bridge at Wye River started in April 2024 and will be undertaken in stages. The new bridge project is on track for planned completion by October 2025.

Stage 1 of the project to replace the ocean side of the bridge and widen the road on both sides of the bridge was completed in late 2024.

Update - May 2025

Stage 2 works to replace the inland side of the bridge is underway.

There are two lanes open to traffic and following a pause of construction for the April holidays, crews will resume works from 19 May. 

Some works, including barrier installation, pavement works and beam lifts, will require the temporary closure of one lane over the bridge and temporary traffic changes on nearby local roads. 

Please note these works are subject to favourable weather and site conditions.

General disruptions

There will be changes to traffic conditions in the area during construction.

Lane closures and reduced speed limits will be in place at times, with traffic management on site to guide traffic through safely.

Pedestrian access is available across the wooden bridge to the north while work is underway. Beach access is also available. Temporary pedestrian detours may be required at times. Signage and traffic controllers will be in place as required to guide pedestrians across the river and to the beach.

Please take care when travelling through the work site.

Look out for signs alerting to changed traffic conditions and allow extra time for your journey.

Overview

The construction of the new bridge on the Great Ocean Road at Wye River is funded by the Australian and Victorian Governments.

The community provided valuable feedback on the project that was incorporated into the planning and design of the project.

The existing bridge was built in the 1950s and is now due for replacement.

The new bridge will be stronger, wider, and safer. The bridge will be capable of carrying an increased load capacity of more than 100 tonnes. It is being constructed on the same alignment as the existing bridge, and include a wider bridge deck, shoulders and a footway on the ocean side of the structure to boost safety and convenience for pedestrians.

The existing upstream pedestrian bridge has been refurbished to protect it from the coastal weather.

Benefits

Replacing the Wye River bridge will:

• ensure a safe and secure river crossing that meets modern design standards and is resilient and strong for the next 50 plus years,
• allow for higher tides and storm surges as a result of changing climatic conditions, with the new bridge being approximately 600mm higher than the existing bridge,
• improve connectivity between Lorne and Apollo Bay for all road users,
• improve pedestrian safety and access with new guardrail, crash barriers and a wider pedestrian path on the beach side. The pedestrian path will be extended to provide better connection between the caravan park and the general store via the existing pedestrian crossing point, and
• improve safety and access for cyclists, with wider shoulders on both lanes. 

Get in touch

Call:    133 778

Email: [email protected]