Noosa Hinterland celebrates opening of two new bridges

Two new bridge structures were officially opened in the Noosa Hinterland today, delivering safer and faster travel around the popular tourist area.

Deputy Prime Minister, Nationals’ Leader and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Mary River Road Bridge at Cooroy and the Old Noosa Road Bridge at Cooran had both been replaced at a combined cost of $3.08 million, joint-funded by the Liberal and Nationals Government through the Bridges Renewal Program and Noosa Council. 

 

“Both timber bridges were replaced with new single-span concrete bridges with higher load limits, modern safety barriers and better resistance to flooding,” Mr McCormack said.

“With the increased capacity and improved traffic safety measures on the two upgraded bridges, motorists and heavy vehicle operators will experience safer and shorter travel times as they won’t have to take long detours to travel through the area.

“These bridge replacements are a great outcome for the local community, and the Liberal and Nationals’ Government is committed to working with local governments Australia-wide to provide safe road networks across the country.”

Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien attended the official opening and said the new bridges have been built to a very high standard, with a new life-span of up to 100 years.

“Works such as these are an important investment in the viability of our regional communities,” Mr O’Brien said.

“Without the funding, the existing Mary River Road Bridge would have been closed, adding a 1.8 kilometre detour for more than 2,800 vehicles using it daily to access Noosa-Cooroy Road and the Bruce Highway, and similarly, motorists would have to take a 7.7 kilometre detour had the Old Noosa Road Bridge been closed during floods.

“Thanks to these bridge replacements, local communities and travellers will have better access to local business hubs and other facilities which will provide a big boost to the local economy, while the maintenance costs for the two bridges will also be reduced, saving taxpayer dollars.”

Noosa Council Mayor Tony Wellington said the two bridges replaced the previous structures, which had reached the end of their lives.

“The bridges will provide improved access to the Cooroy and Cooran townships, and are designed to cater for heavy vehicles — up to 160 tonnes on the Mary River Road Bridge and 44 tonnes for the Old Noosa Road Bridge,” Cr Wellington said.

“It’s wonderful to have the support of the Federal Government in helping Council support essential infrastructure in Noosa’s rural communities.

“Council greatly appreciates the patience and goodwill exhibited by the Cooroy and Cooran communities throughout the bridge closures and rebuilds as well as their help in facilitating the safe and steady progress of works by Council staff and contractors.”

The Liberal and Nationals Government and Noosa Council jointly funded the $3.08 million upgrade of both bridges on a 50:50 basis.