Building bridges over the Annan River

And in its place a new 275m long pitch, officially opened and renamed by Transport and Main Roads Minister Steve Bredhauer today.

The new bridge over the Annan River has been named the Yuku Baju Big Annan Bridge in to recognise the traditional owners , the Yalanji.

Mr Bredhauer the Member for Cook said the bridge was a symbol of reconciliation.

Yuku Baja is the Yalanji name for this part of the river. Local residents have called the river at this location the Big Annan to distinguish it from the crossing known as the Little Annan further south, he said.

Mr Bredhauer said the new bridge over the Annan River would improve access to Cooktown during the wet season.

The old bridge was flood-prone and went under at least every second year. And it could stay under for days, he said.

The new bridge is 2.5 metres higher and will help maintain access in all but the most extreme floods.

With bitumen also extending further each year on the Cooktown Developmental Road currently almost 28 km it means people can still obtain essential goods and services, maintain social contact, and access schools and jobs in the wet season, Mr Bredhauer said.

The bridge will also improve safety all year round by having two lanes instead of the single lane on the old timber bridge, he said.

The old bridge has served Cooktown for more than a century but was simply not up to todays demands, Mr Bredhauer said.

He said the $10 million project provided jobs for about 250 people.

Most of the workers were from the area. The Beattie Government is determined to help build Queenslands regions through major infrastructure projects like this, Mr Bredhauer said.

Mr Bredhauer said he was pleased to deliver on two commitments to the new bridge and to bring the construction forward after the 1999 heavy wet season.

The community told us they wanted the project to have a high priority. The Beattie Government and Main Roads has not only listened but delivered, he said.

Mr Bredhauer said a decision was yet to be made on what would be done with the old bridge.

Main Roads was currently reviewing input from consultation and technical investigations.

Options include retaining and repairing the bridge as a pedestrian walkway only, with no traffic access, or its partial or complete removal.

Issues being considered include access for pedestrians and recreational fishing, heritage and tourism values, maintenance costs, and safety risks in flood conditions.

Mr Bredhauer said bitumen sealing of the full length of the Cooktown Developmental Road remained on target for completion by the end of 2005.

Main Roads expects to call tenders for the next project in early 2002, with construction to start after the wet that year, he said.

FURTHER DETAILS: Andrew Williams, Media Advisor 3237 1944 or 0408 725 308