The Melrose Drive bridge over the freeway will shut, along with the ramp leading to the northbound lanes of the freeway.

The freeway’s southbound lane and exit ramp to Melrose Drive will remain open, but traffic will not be able to turn right to cross the bridge.

Traffic normally using the access ramp will have to divert to Melbourne Road, Elgin Street and High Street to reach the Lincoln Causeway and the freeway access near Cambourne.

Freeway lanes near the Melrose Drive intersection will be subject to a 60kmh speed limit and other restrictions caused by construction work on the Wodonga rail bypass.

It is the first time such a disruption has occurred since the Wodonga bypass was opened in 1986.

Traffic patterns should be back to normal in December when a new bridge over the rail bypass is completed and the existing Melrose Drive bridge over the freeway upgraded.

The South Improvement Alliance, which is building the bypass, says the traffic to and from the Moloney Drive industrial area must use a diversion on Edwards Road, meeting the freeway at Cochranes Road and McKoy Street.

Work on the bridges over the railway route and freeway was continuing yesterday alongside preparation work for the new Wodonga passenger station.

About 160 men and women are working on the $181 million bypass route, which is part of the $612.8 million North East rail Revitalisation Project.

Several local companies are working with alliance partners John Holland and the Australian Rail Track Corporation on the 5km rail bypass, which will be completed in the second half of 2010.

A.P. Delaney and Co, Walsh Earthmoving, Fletcher Plumbing, J.J. Richards (waste collection), the Coates hire company and Broadfoot Water Cartage are among sub-contractors working on the project.

ARTC spokesman Brian Dale said the alliance was using as many local sub-contractors as possible.