FAQ’s – Heavy Vehicle Industry

• Scaffolding works will occur from 26 February to November 2024
• Works will be conducted Monday to Friday 7am – 5pm, (excluding public holidays) and potentially some Saturdays.

• Due to the use of suspended scaffold connected to the underside of the bridge, there will be no need to close lanes on the bridge to access the pipelines.
• On rare occasions, traffic management or pilot vehicles may be required to enable bridge inspections, access for specialised heavy vehicles, and while navigational markers for marine users are relocated. This will mostly occur at night or early morning to minimise disruptions to traffic, occasionally lane closures of the bridge will occur during the day.

Revised heavy vehicle network access information has been provided by DTP on 16 February 2024 to assist operators.

• Vehicle mass limits and access advice for 26 February to 27 May; and 30 August to November: HV Network Table 1. 
• Vehicle mass limits and access advice for 28 May to 29 August 2024, (42.5 tonne vehicle mass limit) whilst work is focused on the middle span of the bridge: HV Network Table 2
• Project timelines may change based on the rate of progress. If dates change, informed will be available at a minimum of 3 weeks prior to any proposed change.
• DTP will be undertaking regular inspections during the project to ensure the structural integrity of the bridge and the suitability of the mass limits.
• Heavy vehicle operators are advised to refer to the NHVR National Network Map for heavy vehicle network access information.

• Westernport Water has proactively advised known heavy vehicle operators that will be impacted by these limits.
• The original start date has been pushed back by 6 weeks to the 26 February 2024 to allow more time for heavy vehicle operators to plan for this change.
• Planning the journey of a heavy vehicle is the responsibility of the operator.
• VMS signs being deployed will provide enough forewarning for those not already aware of the limit to undertake safe adjustment to their journey prior to approaching the bridge.

• VMS signs have been deployed to provide advanced warning to those not already aware of the limit to undertake safe adjustments to their journey before approaching the bridge.
  Three VMS signs as per red crosses

• Management of the product being carried, and ensuring the weight of the load complies with the general mass limit, is the responsibility of the operator and trips should be planned with the limit in mind.

• The National Heavy Vehicle Register are responsible for compliance of general mass limits and will monitor compliance as part of their everyday compliance activities when working in the area.

• The project commencement date was determined in October 2023, communications regarding the general mass limit were issued in November 2023.
• Due to the challenging nature of this project, its impacts and the required approvals to proceed, formal advice of the load limit was provided to heavy vehicle operators at Westernport Water’s earliest opportunity.
• The heavy vehicle industry body has been engaged in the planning of this project throughout 2023.

• Other solutions were considered by DTP to enable Westernport Water to deliver this important maintenance work, including traffic lights and a reduction to one lane, however this would have caused prolonged and significant impacts to all road users.
• The scaffolding ensures the safety and stability of the bridge, while minimising impacts to the road network and road users.