TREE lopping near the Kerrabee Soundshell in Moama caused a headache for motorists on both sides of the Echuca-Moama Bridge earlier today as the northbound lane was closed.
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Traffic management was directing drivers around the works for about 90 minutes
Works were completed by about 12.30pm.
Residents took to Facebook to air their frustrations about the hold up, with many questioning why they weren't made aware - and why the works were conducted during a busy period.
A Murray River Council spokesperson did not comment on why residents were not made aware, but said Wednesday was the opportune time to undertake the work.
"Due to the nature of the works the works could not be done safely at night," the spokesperson said.
"The trees were scoped for removal due to damage the root systems had been causing to the retaining wall that supports the bridge infrastructure
"Prior to the installation of a new retaining wall the trees required removal. The decision was made to schedule the works this week after the Southern 80.
"The tree removal works and disruption to traffic is now complete, the remaining works to replace the failing retaining wall will commence over the coming weeks."
Six small to medium trees required removal to protect infrastructure and allow for the renewal of the retaining wall.
During the hold up, one person opting to walk instead of drive was 83-year-old Moama resident Vel Collis, who needed to run an errand in Echuca.“I saw the traffic was dreadful, so I parked at the post office and walked across the bridge,” Vel said.Despite walking to Echuca and back as mercury hit 33C, Vel was chipper when interviewed after coming back into Moama.“It wasn’t convenient to go by car so I walked, I walk anywhere and everywhere,” she explained.“I had to go to the bank to take some money out.”“The workmen were very good, they let the pedestrians go, they didn’t make me stop.”
17°C