Protesters set plans as bridge workers arrive

Alex de Vos
Work has started on State Government’s controversial project to replace Barwon Heads Bridge despite years of community outrage.
Vicroads’ contractor McConnell Dowell took “partial possession” of the construction site on Wednesday after a six-week delay.
But residents and business owners have vowed to continue fighting the Government’s two-bridge proposal.
Starfish Bakery owner Paul Fox said he was planning on-going protests.
“It’s absolute madness putting up two bridges and there is united community opposition,” Mr Fox said.
“There will be protests.”
However, Vicroads South Western Regional Director Andrew Bethune said the organisation was “keen to get on with the job”
“The 80-year-old bridge had serious structural problems and only a few more years of carrying traffic safely,” Mr Bethune said.
“It’s a beautiful bridge but it has reached the end of its useful life.”
State Government defied community opposition and an upper house disallowment motion earlier this year to push ahead with its controversial two-bridge plan.
Mr Bethune said the bridges would be built in three phases to ensure two lanes of traffic could flow between Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove.