Projects

Maroondah Aqueduct Bridge maintenance, Eltham-Yarra Glen Road

We are delivering maintenance works to the Maroondah Aqueduct Bridge on Eltham-Yarra Glen Road in Yarra Glen.

Project status:

Underway

The bridge is safe for all light vehicles and approved heavy vehicles. These works are needed to ensure approved heavier vehicles can continue to travel over it without further restrictions.

The work will take place in four stages to ensure closures on this important route do not take place during fire season.

Stage 1 – Maintenance repairs
- Expected disruption: Speed reduction and occasional single lane closure.
- Late November 2024 to February 2025.
Stage 2 – Various works, including removal of existing pavement, installation of support piles, reinstating temporary pavement.
- Expected disruption: Speed reduction, lane closure.
- February to March 2025.
Stage 3 (works to commence after fire season declared over) – Removal of bridge deck, reinforcement, rebuilding bridge deck.
- Expected disruption: There will be a two-week full closure with major detours in place.
- Between April to June 2025 subject to the works program.
Stage 4 – Restoring the bridge surface, installation of barriers and signs.
- Expected disruption: Speed reduction, occasional single lane closure.
- By end of June 2025, works will commence after Stage 3 is complete.

Image description: A photograph of the red-brick arched heritage bridge over the Maroondah Aqueduct.

Project update – November 2024

Stage 1 of the bridge maintenance works will begin in late November. Works will include crack repairs, mortar repair of the brick work and, if required, concrete patching of the aqueduct channel. Some temporary works within the aqueduct itself will be required to create access to the underside of the bridge.

When to expect us

Stage 1 works will commence Thursday 28 November 2024 and continue until February 2025.

Crews will work during the day between 7am and 5:30pm, Monday to Friday.

What to expect

The speed limit will be reduced on both approaches to the bridge with speed limits of 40km/h and 60km/h in place depending on the work being undertaken. Speed reductions will also apply outside of working hours.

During this first stage of works, at times the bridge will be reduced to a single lane of traffic between 7am and 5:30pm. One direction of traffic will stop and wait while traffic moves in the other direction across the bridge.

Traffic controllers will be on site to guide you safely through the site and across the bridge. Please drive safely and follow the directions of traffic controllers.

Background

This bridge over the Maroondah Aqueduct was built between the late 1800s and early 1900s; the bridge and the aqueduct are heritage listed and protected. We have worked closely with Heritage Victoria to understand the heritage status of the bridge and aqueduct and maintain their historical importance.

Eltham-Yarra Glen Road is the only east-west route between Yarra Glen and the Eltham/Diamond Creek region. Approximately 5,447 vehicles travel on Eltham-Yarra Glen Road per day, with 12% being heavy vehicles.

Without this maintenance work a load limit would need to be applied to the bridge in the near future restricting the types of vehicles that could use the bridge.