Mallee MP Andrew Broad says both sides of the Murray River need to “build a bridge”, describing the drawn out issue as anything but “rocket science”.
Mr Broad said the debate about the alignment and configuration of a new bridge spanning the river between Swan Hill and Murray Downs has been raging since July 1966 and “now was the time to resolve” the issue.
The federal member was a guest speaker at the Bridge Position Action Committee meeting on Monday night, which attracted more than 50 residents and stakeholders from both sides of the river.
“The thing we need to think about is we can’t patch up the old bridge forever,” Mr Broad said.
A permanent support solution will be installed on the current bridge after harvest season is completed, which will return the bridge to its normal width of 4.3 metres, as part of a $1.8 million upgrade.
“It is getting to the point that all agree that it’s not fitting of a community and inland city such as Swan Hill to have the current bridge as we have it now,” Mr Broad said.
“It’s an old bridge that’s not going to serve purpose into the future.”
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