THE channel bridge on the main street of Colbinabbin was built in 1964 and has changed little since.
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But what has changed, according to locals, is the volume of heavy vehicles passing through the town between Bendigo, Shepparton and the Hume Highway.
“What was built in 1964 is a bit suss in 2018,” said John Avard, who lives just over 100 metres from the bridge.
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“Back then you could kick the footy on the main street for 20 minutes without a car coming. Now there are trucks coming through every minute.”
When the Bendigo Advertiser visited the town a few months ago, trucks were observed crossing into the centre of the road in order to thunder over the bridge. The speed limit has since been temporarily reduced to 40 kilometres per hour.
With the bridge serving as the only pedestrian crossing for children attending Colbinabbin Primary School, and the only link between the recreation reserve and the township, locals believe it is unsuitable to have trucks passing through just metres away.
“The railway bridge nearby was used as a footbridge for 100 years but now it’s closed, so everyone has to go over this bridge,” Mr Avard said.
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Bob and Margery West, who run West Farm Supplies, agree that the bridge is the main issue for the town.
“A lot more trucks come across from the Hume Highway and there’s no lights so it becomes very dangerous at night,” Mr West said.
“The bridge has been there a long time but we get a lot more vehicles now than in the past.”
Shirl Hughes, at the Colbinabbin Store, said it was common knowledge that trucks were crossing into the middle of the road when they reached the bridge.
“You can hear them thundering across it from here,” she said.
VicRoads claims there is enough space on the bridge for trucks to pass one another, and points to Regional Roads Victoria data that traffic through Colbinabbin has not changed for 10 years.
RRV northern regional director Brian Westley said resurfacing works would take place early next year.
“We’re continuing to explore future safety improvements in the area,” he said.
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