MILDURA councillor Mark Eckel has put the brakes on a push to open up Langtree Mall to one-way traffic over concerns it could lead to a $3 million budget blowout for the council.

Cr Eckel said he had been told by construction experts that the road base under the mall's pavers would need a "substantial" upgrade to cater for permanent traffic.

"It's OK now for events like Show and Shine at Easter,...