Better bridges to be built in Wide Bay

3/5/2019

Better bridges to be built in Wide Bay

Safer bridges are on the way to Bauple, Tiaro, Kandanga, Cooran and Kin Kin thanks to a $2.9 million investment from the Liberals and Nationals in Government, Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien announced today, together with Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack.

“Improving road safety and transport is a key priority for me and the Coalition Government, and fixing these ageing bridges is just another part of our plan to invest in Wide Bay and help get people home sooner and safer,” Mr O’Brien said.
 
“Replacing old timber bridges with better concrete bridges will improve traffic flow and road conditions for local residents, as well as visitors and truck drivers, ensuring important road links are safer, more reliable and more efficient.
 
“I’m pleased these five bridges have been allocated funding through the Bridges Renewal Program, as it will have significant flow-on benefits for local businesses and tourism, as well as creating jobs during the construction process.”
 
The following bridges will be replaced:

• Boar Creek Bridge, Bauple -$369,168 towards replacement of existing, structurally failed, timber bridge.
• St Mary’s Bridge, Tiaro – $633,578 towards replacement of timber bridge.
• Kandanga Creek Road – Doyles Bridge – $700,000 towards replacement of an existing timber bridge.         
• Tablelands Road Bridge ‘B’, Cooran – $ 477,288 towards replacement of a rural timber bridge with precast concrete using Quickcell or Hollowcore planks.
• Wahpunga Lane Bridge, Kin Kin – $763,661 towards replacement of a timber bridge with precast concrete using Quickcell or Hollowcore planks.

 
Deputy Prime Minister, Nationals’ Leader and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Liberals and Nationals in Government are committing $640 million for vital bridgeworks between 2015–16 to 2022–23, with an ongoing commitment of $85 million each year following.
 
“The Bridges Renewal Program provides up to 50 per cent of the cost of repairing or replacing old and unsafe local bridges, which is a fantastic win for local communities,” Mr McCormack said.
 
“Under Round 4, the Government has committed $57 million to help fund vital local bridgeworks following the completion of an open, merit-based selection process.”
 
Under Round 4 of the program, the Government will contribute up to a maximum of $700,000 for one bridge or $1.4 million for two bridges in the same local government area.
 
A full list of successful projects is available at www.infrastructure.gov.au/bridges.

ENDS