Mr Ramsay said $3.6 million was allocated towards the bridge as part of the Victorian Coalition Government's response to the January 2011 floods.

"Completion of the new Crowlands bridge marked the final flood recovery project for arterial roads in Western Victoria," he said.

Ms Staley said a section of the former bridge on Ararat-St Arnaud Road was washed away during the January 2011 floods and was so badly damaged it had to be demolished.

"The completion of this project was great news for local farmers, residents and motorists that use this road everyday travelling between Ararat and St Arnaud," she said.

"I know that locals appreciated the return to normal traffic conditions and being able to travel on a newly-built structure after using a temporary 'Bailey Bridge' and farm machinery crossing.

"The new bridge meets current standards and has enhanced load capacity to cater for freight requirements.

"It is a three-span structure that is 54 metres long and 11 metres wide. It is higher than the former bridge to allow for improved water flow should flooding reoccur.

"Works also included new road approaches with approximately 300 metres of road raised and widened to match in with the new bridge."