It’s twins!

Twin bridges have spanned the Maroochy River at Maroochydore 17 years apart.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Andrew McNamara, was on site today as the last concrete girders were lowered into place for a new $31 million southbound river crossing.

“It’s been 17 years since the opening of the first bridge – now there’s a twin.

“The last eight, 60 tonne girders have today been locked into position with a steel launching truss to complete the final span of the second Maroochy River Bridge.

“Work is on the new bridge is now 75% complete with construction crews about to turn their attention to filling out the remaining sections of bridge skeleton.

“That is, pouring the last portion of concrete deck and laying the road surface.”

“Girder by girder, span by span, we’ve watched as the 400 metre solid concrete backbone stretched across the river.

“Well, it’s made it’s destination – we’ve reached the north bank.

Mr McNamara said the bridge duplication is a key plank of the State Government’s $290 million Sunshine Motorway upgrade.

“Ultimately, by the end of 2008, the twin bridges will operate as a pigeon pair to deliver six lanes across the Maroochy River, plus a pedestrian path and bikeway.

“More than 34,000 motorists cross the river daily and that’s expected to double over the next 25 years, making it a crucial investment in the future.

“The new bridge opens to traffic by Christmas ahead of the closure of the first crossing for widening and renovation work.”

Mr McNamara has also announced the first four kilometre - four lane section of the Sunshine Motorway upgrade has today opened to traffic.

“It’s a big day for the Sunshine Coast.

“Not only has the Maroochy Bridge duplication reached an important milestone, but we’ve cleared the traffic safety barriers and raised the speed limit on the Sippy Downs Drive to Kawana Way section of the motorway upgrade.

“I’m proud to say the first section of the new Sunshine Motorway is open.

“For motorists it’s a glimpse into the future – a higher capacity motorway from Sippy Downs to Pacific Paradise by the end of 2008.

“A clear demonstration of the Queensland Government’s commitment to meeting the transport infrastructure demands of a booming region,” he said.

“And the road works on the Sunshine Coast continue with the laying of a desperately needed new surface on a 2.8 km section of the Bruce Highway, known as the Nambour Bypass.

“Main Roads has been forced to divert $4 million from other maintenance projects on the Coast after the Federal Government turned down a special request for extra money to fix their own highway,” Mr McNamara said.

The resurfacing work is expected to finish by December.

Media Contact: Darren Roberts 3237 1947 / 0448 184566.