The John Foord Bridge's footpath will function in business hours with police on duty to inspect the border permits of those crossing.

The move follows community ire at its closure as part of the Murray River blockade that began last week.

Wahgunyah newsagency owner Margaret Bromley said it gave some relief.

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"I'm sure the people who do like to walk over there will be appreciative, but we still really need cars to go back and forth," she said.

"It's like a ghost town here."

Benambra MP Bill Tilley, who lobbied NSW authorities for the reopening, urged locals to take advantage.

"Make sure you damn well use it, because if you don't use it we can't complain that those finite resources that NSW police have, and the ADF have, that they can't continually keep that crossing open, so please use it," he said.

The bridge is expected to be open from 8am to 5pm for pedestrians.