At their February meeting in Mortlake last night, Moyne Shire councillors passed a recommendation to place limits on the Minhamite-Caramut Road bridge.

The load limit will be set at 25 tonnes for combined vehicle and load and  the  speed limit at 80km/h. There was previously no load limit on the bridge and the speed limit was 100km/h.

Moyne Shire councillor Jill Parker told the meeting there was a need for limits.

“We need to look at public safety, our own risk management and looking after the assets we have in the shire,” Cr Parker said.

She drew unanimous support from her five fellow councillors, who backed the recommendation from the council’s engineering project officer Jason Hoy.

In his report to councillors, Mr Hoy said recent inspections of the bridge highlighted significant deterioration of the deck, crossbeams and railing.

The report stated there were alternative route options to the north and south of the bridge for vehicles heavier than the new limit.

The limits would not affect dairy companies operating in the area, private or school bus services, or council garbage collections, the report said.