On site work commenced last week on the project to upgrade and strengthen the bridge over the Wimmera River on the Nhill-Jeparit road just west of the township of Jeparit.

This project was announced late last year and at the time the work was to commence in January and be completed this month, but work only started last week.

For the duration of the works, traffic will be restricted to one lane over the bridge which will be regulated by traffic lights. A width restriction of a maximum of 3.3 metres will be enforced with larger vehicles advised to find an alternative route, with the Dimboola-Rainbow Road and Western Highway being recommended.

According to VicRoads, work is now scheduled to be completed by the end of October.

An average of 410 vehicles use the bridge daily which is on the key route between Nhill and Jeparit and is the only western entrance to the town. It forms part of one of two primary routes between the town and the Western Highway and supports local industry as they transport their product across the state.

The upgrade is part of the $35.8 million Stronger Country Bridges Program, which targets bridges along major regional freight corridors.