Originally published December 20, 1977

MILDURA'S new bridge over the Murray River will not be at the end of Deakin Avenue.

Victorian State Cabinet decided that the government approved the siting of the new bridge near the existing one.

The Minister for Transport said the new bridge would be near the existing one with the bridge approach joining Seventh Street opposite San Mateo Avenue.

The minister said the siting was subject to agreement with the Department of Main Roads in NSW which would be constructing the bridge and meeting half the cost.

But the DMR has already made it known that it favoured either the Deakin Avenue site or one near the existing bridge, and was waiting on Victoria to make a decision.

Cabinet's decision upheld the stand taken by Mildura City Council on the bridge site.

It is also satisfied the majority of district people who had shown in a plebiscite conducted by Sunraysia Daily that a site adjacent to the existing one was favoured in preference to Deakin Avenue.

The decision was a personal triumph for Mildura Mayor Laurie Andriske who, right from the outset, had wanted the bridge to be opposite San Mateo Avenue.

The council broadened its aim at having the bridge adjacent to the existing one with only Cr Bruce Weir standing alone for Deakin Avenue.

Cr Andriske said he was extremely pleased with Cabinet's decision and he hoped the authorities would get on with the job of building the bridge as soon as possible.