Work to start on new Hospital Bridge

Mackay's newest landmark will soon start taking shape, with work about to begin on the structure that will replace the flood-prone Hospital Bridge.

Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said the new $33.6 million bridge replacement project would increase safety and alleviate congestion near the West Mackay crossing.

Mr Pitt said the project was part of a package of road works worth $276 million that would be built in the Mackay region during the next five years.

"The existing Hospital Bridge is a narrow, low-level timber bridge with a five-tonne load limit so maintaining the existing structure is not cost-efficient,'' he said.

"By early 2009, Mackay will have a new 22-span concrete bridge that will provide extra room for traffic.

"In the coming weeks, Mackay residents will see construction starting on the Lagoon Creek bridge – a 50m two-span bridge that is being built as part of the project – as well as general earthworks in the area.”

Construction on the major bridge, which will feature a reinforced concrete deck and 130 pre-stressed concrete girders, will start in December.

It will be built 400m upstream from the existing Hospital Bridge, which will be demolished once the new bridge is opened.

Member for Mackay and Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said construction of the bridges marked the second stage of the project, with stage one – an upgrade of Lagoon Street – finished earlier this year.

"The intersection at Lagoon Street, Hume Street and Lansdowne Road will also be upgraded with a new roundabout, which will make negotiating the intersection much safer for motorists,” he said.

"From this roundabout, the new road will extend over Lagoon Creek and the Pioneer River, connecting with Glenella Road just before Fursden Creek.”

Mr Mulherin said Basic Construction Services had been awarded a $21.4 million contract to construct the bridge component of the project.

More than 12,000 vehicles use the existing Hospital Bridge each day.

Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819; Minister Mulherin’s Office 3239 3000