Bremer River Bridge gets $42.5 million commitment for repair works

• The Queensland Government has committed $42.5 million towards critical rehabilitation works for the Bremer River Bridge including bridge re-decking.
• The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) is addressing safety concerns at Bremer River Bridge due to fatigue cracks in steel girders
• Installation of traffic signals at heavy vehicle cross overs will be completed to facilitate night-time oversize over-mass vehicle movements

The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) is actively addressing safety concerns at the Bremer River Bridge, with the Miles Government committing $42.5 million towards critical rehabilitation and strengthening works.  Matched funding will also be sought from the Australian Government, which would provide a total investment of $85 million for this important asset.

Following inspections by TMR, it was identified that replacing the deck on the main bridge spans of the westbound bridge will be required to allow the removal of the current vehicle speed and mass restrictions.

The westbound bridge over the Bremer River is a significant connection point on the Warrego Highway, and this commitment will ensure immediate works can be carried out and structural investigations, assessment and monitoring progressed to inform deck replacement works to extend the life of the existing bridge structure.

This commitment follows TMR’s ongoing work on the Bremer River Bridge, with welding repairs to the steel girders on the underside of the bridge recently commenced while design for the rehabilitation works is completed.

Restrictions on vehicle speed and mass have been implemented at the site, and traffic signals will soon be activated at the centre median crossovers to manage the movement of oversize over-mass vehicles more efficiently.

Welding repairs will address fatigue cracks until the full rehabilitation works are complete. These works are currently being undertaken at night between 8pm and 5am, Sunday to Thursday.

During these repair works, traffic control measures will be in place on-site to manage vehicle movements, including a long-term speed limit reduction to 70km/h on the eastbound carriageway and single lane closures on the westbound bridge will be in place during these hours.

Please allow extra time when planning your travel and follow the directions of roadside signage and traffic controllers.

The Warrego Highway is a key route for the general community and freight, and TMR is undertaking crucial works at multiple locations to ensure Queensland can keep moving.

Quotes attributable to Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Bart Mellish:

"The Bremer River Bridge is a vital connection point on the Warrego Highway, and we want to see our heavy vehicle industry moving as efficiently as possible.

"The Miles Government has committed $42.5 million towards critical rehabilitation and strengthening works for the westbound bridge, which will help prolong the life of the structure.

“Australian Government funding is also being sought as a priority to fund remediation works.

“This funding will ensure TMR is able to continue progressing additional structural investigations, assessments and monitoring to inform the design of rehabilitation works as a priority.

"TMR will continue to deliver vital repair works, including welding to the steel girders to ensure the safety of the travelling public and this important freight route can remain open.

“Restrictions to vehicle speed and mass have been put in place while critical repair work continues on the Bremer River Bridge.

"The current load restrictions and reduced speed limits will be in place on the westbound bridge for the foreseeable future. It is important that the community travel at the sign posted speed limits.

"We thank the community for their ongoing patience, TMR will continue to provide more information when it becomes available.”

For up-to-date information on road closures and traffic conditions across Queensland, go to www.qldtraffic.qld.gov.au or call 13 19 40. For project updates or to subscribe for future notifications email metropolitanregion@tmr.qld.gov.au .

ENDS

Media contact – Minister Mellish office – 0466 620 176