Road block: McCoys Bridge, located just south of Kotupna, has been closed to traffic. Photo: Steve Huntley
Residents on either side of the Goulburn River have been cut off from one another after McCoys Bridge along the Murray Valley Hwy was closed last week.
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The bridge, a key crossing point that connects Echuca and other towns south of the Goulburn to Nathalia, Kotupna and Picola, was closed last Friday evening due to significant flooding and potential impacts on the bridge itself.
The bridge, just south of Kotupna, has been shut off to all vehicles for a week, with no exact time frame on when it might reopen.
‘Road closed’ signs line the highway leading up bridge, with large concrete barriers at both ends physically stopping cars from making the crossing.
It is having an impact on people trying to travel to and from work, as well as students looking to get to school.
No access: McCoys Bridge along the Murray Valley Hwy has been closed to traffic. Photo: Steve Huntley
A spokesperson for the Department of Transport said safety was the key reason behind the bridge closure.
“We will never compromise on safety — that’s why we’ve closed McCoys Bridge until water recedes to a level that will allow us to assess the condition of the bridge itself,” the spokesperson said.
“We expect those inspections to be carried out in the next few days and our experts will begin planning for any long-term repairs if needed.”
“We know how important it is to keep the community connected and our crews are working around the clock to deliver repairs where they’re needed most.”
With McCoys Bridge shut and access through Barmah not possible due to flooding, getting to and from towns north of the Goulburn River has become incredibly difficult.
A trip from Echuca to Nathalia would normally take around 40 minutes but now it would take three times as long, with people forced to go through Waaia, Numurkah and Shepparton.
People who would also travel from Kyabram and Tongala to Nathalia or nearby towns have also been affected.
Key crossing: McCoys Bridge provides important access to towns north of the Goulburn River such as Picola, Nathalia and Katupna. Photo: Steve Huntley
Penny Power, who lives in the area, said the bridge closure was a huge deal.
“The bridge is terribly important,” Ms Power said.
“It is the connection between Nathalia and Echuca. There are a heck of a lot of trucks that go through there to get to Cobram and Yarrawonga and so forth.
“Kids go to school that way and people go to Kyabram and Echuca for work and shopping everyday.
“People are isolated.”
People had been walking across the bridge earlier this week, with some locals parking their car at one end before walking across and getting picked up at the other.
Some of the people walking across had been dropping off supplies to those on the other side, while others had parked at one end before being picked up at the other to go to work.
But residents apparently received a notice on Thursday morning saying the bridge was now shut to foot traffic as well.
The Department of Transport said the section of the Murray Valley Hwy would remain closed until structural experts could assess the ongoing stability of the bridge.
No way over: People had been able to walk across McCoys Bridge earlier this week, but residents reported they were told access via foot had been cut off as well. Photo: Steve Huntley
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