The bridge, which crosses the Merri River along Stanley Street, was being strengthened to increase its load carrying capacity. 

A Warrnambool City Council spokesman said good weather had allowed the bridge to open ahead of schedule and on budget.

EARLIER: WARRNAMBOOL’S Edwards Bridge, which crosses the Merri River along Stanley Street, will be closed until mid-April.

The timber bridge, which is more than a century old, is being strengthened to increase its load carrying capacity.

Warrnambool City Council infrastructure development and projects manager Justin Hinch said recent structural assessment of the bridge had revealed the main issue affecting the remaining life of the structure was the poor condition of the timber piles.

The piles are the timber poles supporting the bridge.

“The end result of the work will be that the historic bridge will be serviceable for decades to come,” Mr Hinch said.

 The project involves the rehabilitation of 31 piles under the part of the bridge that carries vehicle traffic. Pedestrians are still able to use the adjacent footbridge.

Works on the bridge began at the end of February.