FAQ’s – Heavy Vehicle Industry

• Scaffolding works will occur from 26 February to late January 2025
• Works will be conducted Monday to Friday 7am – 5pm, (excluding public holidays) and occasionally 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.

For vehicle mass limits and access advice for 1 November 2024 to mid-February 2025 click here.

Project timelines may change based on the rate of progress. If dates change, information 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.

Heavy vehicle network access information is provided by the Department of Transport and Planning to assist operators.

Updated 20 December 2024.

• Westernport Water has proactively advised known heavy vehicle operators that will be impacted by these limits.
• 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 to the freight regarding mass limits commenced in late 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.
• To lessen the impacts as much as possible while these critical maintenance works are delivered, the mass limit of 42.5t will be in place for three months over winter when construction projects typically ease.

There will be no impacts for emergency services access.

Westernport Water has liaised with local emergency services agencies, including Fire Rescue Victoria, SES and Parks Victoria. Each agency has confirmed that the bridge limits will not impact their local emergency response efforts.

There will be no impact to vehicles that are used to supply groceries, household goods, milk, petrol, and major events at the Phillip Island Gand Prix Circuit as they typically operate at or below 42.5t.

Operators can apply to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) for a permit to access the bridge with a vehicle heavier than current weight limits. Access will be considered by NHVR on a case-by-case basis, dependent on time of day and traffic management conditions.

For example, the operator of a 5-axle mobile cane heavier than 42.5t that needs to cross the bridge for a job on Phillip Island can apply to NHVR for a permit. The operator will potentially get approval to cross the bridge with the conditions of closing the bridge to traffic during off-peak times, allowing only the 5-acle mobile crane to cross, (and nothing else).