A Wahgunyah community member believes a solution to re-open the John Foord Bridge to pedestrians and local traffic during the border closure period is already in place.
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Former president of the town's progress association, Alan Pleitner, says the existing set-up of lights dictating one-way flow of traffic from either side of the Murray River reduces the manpower required if the bridge is re-opened.
He said townspeople were also used to the historic bridge being closed for maintenance and adjusted their daily routines to avoid shutdown times.
The John Foord Bridge closure more than a week ago has upset residents with some businesses deciding to temporarily shut.
Moves are afoot to have the bridge re-opened to pedestrians only as early as next week during daylight hours.
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But Mr Pleitner said local traffic should also be able to travel to and from Corowa.
"The locals are already used to those daytime closures and plan their day around it," he said.
"It can be easily done because there is plenty of space on the NSW side for them to hold up traffic and come through with the lights.
"The traffic lights already in place manages it considerably for them.
"It would also be a minor cost to have a minor number of people, whether they be police or ADF, to manage it.
"It is not as though they are going to be coming from the southern part of the state in massive numbers and and want to charge across."
The only cross-border access between Wahgunyah and Corowa presently is via Federation Way with insufficient personnel to have a second checkpoint at John Foord Bridge.
Pedestrian access also being closed on the bridge has been a major blow to residents who walk between the two towns.
Wahgunyah is part of the Indigo Shire which has recorded zero coronavirus cases to date with the council intensifying its lobbying to have the John Foord Bridge re-opened in recent days.
The town's fish and chip shop announced via its Facebook page a temporary shutdown due to COVID-19 and the bridge closure.
The Towong Shire successfully lobbied to have the Tintaldra bridge re-opened after being initially shut.
Member for Albury Justin Clancy confirmed a bridge re-opening to pedestrians was pending.
"The police have been really responsive," he said.
"They understand that having this border closure does impact on our local community and have a real preparedness to try and work through to find constructive ways forward."
Wahgunyah service station-newsagency owner Craig Bromley supported Mr Pleitner's position.
"It is hurting business in the town big time," Mr Bromley said.
"The manpower required to re-open the John Foord Bridge during daylight hours should be pretty minimal.
"Every day which goes by is not great."
