Green light to build vital freight link in Western Queensland

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has given the green light to a $10 million rebuild of a vital inland freight route destroyed by an explosion last year.

In Charleville today, Ms Palaszczuk announced that Davbridge Constructions has been awarded the tender to build a new bridge over Angellala Creek.

“It’s all systems go for this crucial transport link on the Mitchell Highway, with construction set to start in June this year,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“As an added bonus, this project will deliver 24 jobs for workers at a time when job and job security are more important than ever.”

When a truck carrying ammonium nitrate overturned on the Mitchell Highway between Cunnamulla and Charleville in September last year, it was billed as the Australian mainland’s biggest ever peace time explosion.

“The Angellala Creek Bridge on the Mitchell Highway was completely wiped out by that massive explosion. It’s a miracle that no one was killed,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“The bridge was the only significant structure on the Mitchell Highway between Cunnamulla and Charleville and provided a vital freight link for B-Doubles and other heavy vehicles.

“I’m pleased to announce today that work to rebuild a permanent link will start less than a year after the explosion that shut down this crucial transport corridor.

The new bridge, 30 kilometres south of Charleville, will be widened to 9.2 metres to meet current engineering standards and will be one metre higher than the old bridge to provide better flood immunity. It will be built to withstand a one in 15 year flood event.

“Roads are the lifeblood of communities in regional and remote parts of Queensland. People who live and work here rely on a robust and reliable road network. That’s why a new bridge across Angellala Creek is a priority for my Government,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

Three 22-metre spans are proposed to be built to support the bridge to best fit in with the existing damaged infrastructure.

Construction is expected to be completed by late November this year, weather permitting.

Drivers have been using a side track to negotiate their way onto the Mitchell Highway.

“I thank local communities and the heavy vehicle industry for their patience while these works are being carried out. I know it hasn’t been easy, but given the extent of the damage, I’m pleased that we have been able to fast-track this work,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

The damaged section of the nearby rail bridge was demolished and removed earlier this month.

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