Early works has begun on the $280 million Echuca-Moama Bridge project, with test drilling for pylon placement underway for the much-needed second Murray River crossing. This project is jointly funded by the Australian, Victorian and New South Wales Governments.
“This project is part of the Australian Government’s record $50 billion investment in infrastructure and is a critical piece of infrastructure for the region’s businesses and community.
“We’re getting on with building the second Murray River crossing – creating new jobs, and making it easier and safer for locals to get where they need to go,” said Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester.
According to Victorian State Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes, the new bridge will be able to accommodate up to 8,000 vehicles a day. Ms Symes also said that the project will be creating 4,200 jobs for the local community.
New South Wales Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Melinda Pavey said that the geotechnical drilling will involve boring at various sites along the new route of the bridge.
“Those locations will be where future bridge pylons will be built, so we can understand the different soil characteristics. Some of the test holes will be up to 30 metres deep, while a number of shallow pits will be excavated to test the soil properties the future road will be built on,” Mrs Pavey said.
Federal Member for Murray Damian Drum said that the project will help in securing the future of the region’s businesses and industries.
“Our agricultural sector makes a huge contribution to domestic and overseas markets – we help feed the nation, and the world. To make the most of opportunities we need the best possible infrastructure and a second crossing over the Murray will help us do that.
“The second crossing will also help bring more visitors to the region, bolstering our tourism industry, putting more money into the cash registers of local businesses and supporting jobs in the region,” Mr Drum said.
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