Four Wheel Drive Victoria has been informed by Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning that Two bridges, which provide critical firefighter access to some of north east Victoria’s most bushfire prone areas, are being replaced as part of the Victorian Government’s $272.3 million Reducing Bushfire Risk program.

Mountain Creek Bridge and Lords Creek Bridge, which are located along the Mountain Creek Road and Trappers Gap Road, will be replaced in the coming months to benefit heavy firefighter vehicles travelling between Mitta Mitta and Mount Beauty.

Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) Hume Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Aaron Kennedy said, “Timing is everything when it comes to responding to bushfires, particularly in remote forest areas.

“By providing safer and quicker access for firefighters and heavy machinery, we greatly improve the chance of controlling bushfires before they spread and impact communities and the environment.

“The new bridges will have increased load limits which will provide access for heavy firefighting vehicles including fire tankers, bulldozers and excavators responding to bushfires.

“The works will also improve access to some of the region’s most popular recreation and tourist destinations, by providing safer and better access for visitors.
“This project complements our planned burning, slashing, and mulching works, and collectively helps reduce the impacts of bushfires on communities and the environment,” Mr Kennedy said.

Works are scheduled to commence in September.

To reduce the risk to drivers, and contractors undertaking the works, Mountain Creek Road and Trappers Gap Road will be closed while construction is underway. Signage will be in place.

“I encourage visitors to plan their trip in advance to ensure that they have the most up-to-date information about which roads and tracks are open,” Mr Kennedy said.