Swan Hill's Bridge Position Action Committee is fighting for the proposed bridge to take on an alternative modified 4b design, instead of the 9a plan which was given the tick of approval by an independent panel.

The committee wrote to Mr Guy on January 30, urging him to reject a proposal lodged by Swan Hill Rural City Council and VicRoads to approve the bridge works. They have also asked the government to conduct a costing on the modified 4b design.

Committee chairman Graeme Holt said his group was still hopeful that the 9a option would not get government approval.

"It's never too late until they start construction and I'd imagine that's quite a way off," Mr Holt said.

"I wouldn't expect the minister to make a decision in two or three months so I still think the objectors have got a pretty good chance of stopping it.

"That new bridge is going to be there for 200 to 300 years and to put it in the wrong place is stupidity. You only get one shot at it, so lets put it in the right place."

The 9a design -- backed by council and VicRoads -- would see an intermediate level liftspan bridge built to cross the river just upstream of the current bridge.

It would join with Curlewis Street between McCallum and McCrae streets.

In December, the 9a design was approved by an independent panel, with some alterations suggested.

The panel's report was delivered to the planning minister on December 23 but he is yet to announce his decision on the project.

The committee's modified 4b plan is drastically different, and proposes a flyover bridge running from Moulamein Road into vacant land in Hastings Street.

In a letter to the minister, Mr Holt was critical of the independent panel process which deemed the 9a design as a viable option.

"Citizens who presented their concerns and opinions to the panel were in the final analysis ignored, and the opinions of "experts from Melbourne" who do not have an interest in Swan Hill and do not have an understanding of the local area were seen to be more informed," he wrote.