The bridge reopened on Saturday, within the two-week period Moyne Shire council had estimated it would take to complete.

The opening pleased East Beach traders and residents who were diverted 14 kilometres into town during the works.

The 114-year-old bridge was closed to traffic as eight large timber bridge bearers and 600 linear metres of decking timbers were replaced.

Moyne Shire councillor Mick Wolfe said while residents were inconvenienced, the work had to be done.

“It was a good result and now we’ve got a better approach into town,” Cr Wolfe said.

He said the contractors were aware of the time pressure and “worked like trojans”  to meet the two week deadline.

“That’s why the pressure was on (contractors) Fulton Hogan and they delivered a spot-on project," Cr Wolfe said. 

Eastern Beach Holiday Units owner Paulette Whitfield’s concerns about lost trade prior to the works were realised.

She closed the business, which relied on transient guests passing by, early some days because of the lack of traffic.

Mrs Whitfield said she said despite hearing reports the town was busy, it was a different story over the river during the works. “You could shoot a cannon down Griffiths Street,” Mrs Whitfield said. “We were very very quiet.”

“We’re very pleased it opened on time. Hopefully they’ve done what they needed to do and it can last,” she said. 

Charlies on East closed during the works. Owner William Foran said they had a “fairly good” weekend lunch trade as word spread it had opened a day earlier than expected. 

“Everyone’s amazed they had it opened by Saturday. We were really happy. It looks good and we hope it lasts.”

The council spokesman said no additional periodic or bridge maintenance works were planned in the next few months.