Victoria’s San Remo Bridge is getting its most significant overhaul since it opened in 1969, with a $50 million rehabilitation project now officially underway. It’s the first major structural intervention in more than 50 years for the bridge that serves as the only road link to Phillip Island.

Contractor SRG Global, working alongside VIDA Roads on behalf of Transport Victoria, began site establishment from 29 April 2026 with compounds set up on both the San Remo and Newhaven sides. Main construction kicked off mid-2026, and the project is confirmed for completion by mid-2028, according to the Victorian Government.

The scope is substantial. Workers will install steel tendons to reinforce bridge beams, apply concrete jackets around each of the 36 piers, and repair existing damaged concrete. A late-2024 structural assessment triggered the works after finding cracking, rust-staining, and concrete spalling across the bridge’s steel structure. The $50 million comes from the Victorian Government’s $976 million Better Roads Blitz in the 2025 State Budget.

Victorian Roads Minister Ros Spence said the government was “getting on with the job of restoring the San Remo Bridge, keeping it safe and reliable for the millions of motorists who rely on it every year.” The bridge carries between 10,000 and 15,000 vehicles a day and 3.5 million tourists annually, with traffic on Phillip Island Road growing at 4.25 per cent a year.

From Monday 3 August until late 2026, a temporary 62.5-tonne mass limit will apply to heavy vehicles on the bridge. Passenger cars, grocery deliveries, and essential services aren’t affected. The bridge stays open to traffic and pedestrians throughout, though night lane closures may cause delays of up to five minutes.

For tradies, this project means two years of work across a specialist skill set: concreters, scaffolders, structural steel workers, riggers, and marine construction specialists will all be needed. Associated civil works, site compounds, boat ramp and jetty logistics, and traffic management, are expected to draw subcontractors from Bass Coast and broader Gippsland. Anyone hauling heavy loads to Phillip Island job sites should note the August weight restriction and factor it into delivery schedules before it kicks in.

Frequently asked questions

Will the San Remo Bridge stay open during construction?

Yes. The bridge remains open to traffic and pedestrians throughout the project. Night lane closures may cause delays of up to five minutes when needed.

Is there a weight limit on the San Remo Bridge during works?

From Monday 3 August until late 2026, a temporary 62.5-tonne mass limit applies to heavy vehicles. Passenger cars, grocery deliveries, and essential services are not affected.

When will the San Remo Bridge rehabilitation be finished?

The Victorian Government has confirmed completion by mid-2028.

What trades are needed for the San Remo Bridge project?

The project requires concreters, scaffolders, structural steel workers, riggers, and marine construction specialists. Civil subcontractors from Bass Coast and broader Gippsland are also expected to be engaged for site compounds, boat ramp and jetty logistics, and traffic management.

Sourced from Infrastructure Magazine, Inside State Government, South Gippsland Sentinel-Times, Transport Victoria. Original article.