More bang for buck for bridges between Gladstone and Biloela

The Palaszczuk Government is investigating new highway upgrades after a $40 million project to replace long-standing timber bridges on the Dawson Highway in Central Queensland was been completed under budget and ahead of time

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said there were now five new bridges between Gladstone and Biloela.

The project, funded through the State Infrastructure Plan, has replaced long-standing timber bridges at Nine Mile Creek, Catfish Creek, Sheep Station Creek, Maxwelton Creek and Doubtful Creek.

Mr Bailey said the first of the new bridges opened to traffic in December 2017, and with construction efficiencies achieved by the contractor, site works were accelerated to enable the remaining four bridges to open to traffic in April 2018.

“This project delivers immediate regional freight efficiency improvements and flood immunity of the Dawson Highway,” Mr Bailey said.

“To complete construction of all five bridges in just 12 months, despite two flash floods in 2017 inundating the worksites, is a tribute to the technical capability of Golding Contractors which delivered the project.

“We are already looking at opportunities to reinvest savings from this project, which are about $14 million, into further upgrades of the Dawson Highway to deliver road safety and accessibility improvements.”

Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick said the Palaszczuk Government recognised the benefits of increasing access for Type 1 road train vehicles east of Biloela to industry and the state's economy.

“Replacement of the five timber bridges is a significant step towards improved access for these larger freight efficient vehicles,” Mr Dick said.

“With significant agricultural production and Queensland’s largest multi-commodity port at Gladstone, the reinvestment of $14 million in project savings will see further works towards building a highway suitable for larger freight vehicles to access national and international markets.”

Mr Bailey said the Member for Gladstone Glenn Butcher had made ongoing representations on behalf of the community about the importance of the bridge replacement project to the agricultural, mining, freight and tourism industries.

“Gladstone and the broader Central Queensland area were major beneficiaries of the mining expansion over the past decade, yet there is so much more the region has to offer,” Mr Bailey said.

Mr Butcher said the project had helped boost economic growth of the broader region.

He said Golding’s achievements in completing the project demonstrated the knowledge, skill and capability of a local company to deliver large-scale infrastructure for the community.

“Replacing these five timber bridges has resulted in a wider Dawson Highway, increasing safety for all road users,” Mr Butcher said.

“The weight limits on these timber bridges were a major inhibitor to the region’s freight operations, with some vehicles travelling hundreds of additional kilometres via Rockhampton.

“The new concrete structures are part of the continuing improvement of the Dawson Highway to open up new transport opportunities for the region.”

Mr Bailey also thanked motorists and local residents for their patience during the Dawson Highway construction over the past 12 months.

An average of 38 direct jobs were supported over the life of the project.

For up-to-date information on roadworks and other traffic information, visit www.131940.qld.gov.au or call 13 19 40.

ENDS

Media contact: Dominic Geiger, 0447355565