Projects

Rainbow Creek Bridge (Traralgon-Maffra Road) replacement, Heyfield

We’re replacing the bridge over Rainbow Creek on Traralgon-Maffra Road to provide a safe and secure future road connection.

Project status:

Underway

Update – June 2026

Works are progressing well on the new bridge. With the foundations and central pier complete, crews have now placed the bridge beams, while construction of the new road pavement continues.

Please see the traffic impacts section below for details of changed traffic conditions.

Construction remains on schedule and the new bridge is expected to be completed and opened to traffic in late 2026.

Traffic impacts

We understand roadworks can be disruptive and have made every effort to minimise the impacts to road users.

The existing bridge will remain open to traffic while we construct the new bridge.

From late April 2026, lane closures will be in place to allow crews to work near the existing bridge and realign the road on both sides of the new bridge.

During these times, traffic management, including temporary traffic signals and a 40km/h speed limit, will be in place to help road users travel safely through the area.

There may be short periods during specific bridge construction activities when the existing bridge needs to be fully closed, resulting intraffic delays of up to 15 minutes.

Please look out for changed traffic conditions and allow extra time when travelling through the area.

Thank you for your patience as we deliver this important project.

Details

We’re replacing the aging timber Rainbow Creek Bridge, built in 1947, with a new reinforced concrete bridge.

The bridge replacement works include:

replacement of the existing bridge with a new reinforced concrete bridge
realignment of the curve on the southern approach
new road and pavement on approaches to the bridge
installation of safety barriers on each approach and railings on the bridge, and
upgraded road surface and line marking.

Benefits

The benefits of the new bridge include:

safer and more reliable journeys for all road users
improved connectivity
safer travel by realigning to the curve
better protection with safety barriers if vehicles run off the road, and
reduced maintenance costs.

Image of a map showing the Rainbow Creek Bridge replacement works

Click to enlarge

Overview

Rainbow Creek Bridge is located on Traralgon-Maffra Road, approximately three kilometres south of Heyfield in Wellington Shire.

Traralgon-Maffra Road carries about 3,000 vehicles daily and serves the community, public transport, freight and tourism. It is also a vital route for agriculture, supporting the Macalister Irrigation District, one of Victoria’s key food production regions.

The bridge will be replaced with a reinforced concrete bridge on a new alignment to provide all road users with a safe and secure future road connection.

Building the replacement bridge on a new alignment to the west enables the existing bridge to remain open to traffic during construction with limited disruption.

This project is jointly funded by both the Australian and Victorian governments, with a $5 million Australian Government contribution under the Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program and a Victorian Government contribution of $6.25 million, for a total project cost of $11.25 million.

Protecting our environment

We understand the complex balance of connecting communities whilst caring for our natural environment. We share the value the community places on the environment and have worked hard to minimise disturbance to native wildlife and vegetation.

Environmental and waterway assessments for these works have been completed and works will be carried out in accordance with an approved Construction Environmental Management Plan.

Cultural heritage

We consulted with the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation who provided advice relating to Aboriginal heritage in the area as part of the preparation of a Cultural Heritage Management Plan.