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Drivers to be hit by heavy delays as Swan Street Bridge is upgraded

Motorists should expect heavy delays on one of inner Melbourne's busiest thoroughfares with upgrades to Swan Street Bridge soon to begin.

One in-bound lane on the bridge will be closed until July with drivers being urged to take alternative routes when heading into the CBD.

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Vic Roads: Swan Street Bridge upgrade

Melbourne's Swan Street Bridge upgrade will include a new eastbound lane added and a new pedestrian and cycling path on either side of the bridge, separated from road traffic. (Video supplied by VicRoads)

The government has warned that inbound delays will be up to 20 minutes in the morning peak, 15 in minutes in the afternoon peak and 10 minutes outside those times.

The delays are expected from March 29 as construction kicks off on an additional lane.

The upgrade will also include wider cycling and pedestrian paths on both sides of the bridge and new lighting.

The government is advising drivers who usually turn into Olympic Boulevard from Hoddle Street to take alternative routes into the city.

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Those other routes include Alexandra, Victoria and Wellington parades, Albert Street and Commercial Road.

 

Acting Roads Minister Jacinta Allan said the Swan Street Bridge had been a "nightmare for years". She urged motorists to allow extra time for their journeys and consider alternative routes or public transport.

"We know there will be some delays but these are delays for a purpose while we work to remove this significant bottleneck on Melbourne's road network," she said.

The additional traffic lane will be for motorists heading east. The construction work is due for completion by the end of this year.

Swan Street Bridge provides access to some of Melbourne's most popular venues, including the MCG.

However, the government said that VicRoads was working with the Melbourne and Olympic Parks Trust and the MCC to ensure there is access to major stadiums.

Real-time information about travel times on the bridge will be available on the VicRoads website.

An artists impression of the bridge released in September showed it will retain wide arches underneath with new metal ribs to support the railing.

The upgrade, which will cost about $30 million, was designed by BKK Architects.