Published Tuesday, 15 January, 2008 at 02:34 PM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
Repair works continuing quickly on flood-damaged Running Creek Rd
Work to repair flood-damaged Running Creek Road (also known as Lions Road) near Rathdowney is continuing, with Main Roads hoping to restore access for general traffic within the next six weeks.
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt today praised the collaborative work of government agencies and councils to provide emergency road access for local residents affected by last week’s deluge.
"During the recent floods, the stream gauge at Running Creek recorded the highest level on record since recording began in the 1960s," Mr Pitt said.
"Crews from Main Roads, the Beaudesert and Boonah shire councils and Emergency Services Queensland have worked tirelessly to reinstate access for emergency vehicles and residents with four-wheel-drive vehicles.
"As soon as the flood waters receded, Main Roads and shire work crews commenced repairs and restored temporary access to three crossings along Running Creek Road – at Bell Bridge, Taaffe Bridge and an unnamed crossing – using a combination of rock and steel pipes.
"In the coming weeks, Main Roads staff will continue to work with local councils to provide safer and more reliable access through this and other sections of the road.
"It is expected that it will take at least four to six weeks to reinstate temporary access for all vehicles and allow specialist equipment to be brought in to start building more permanent structures."
Mr Pitt said a 250m section of road between Taaffe Bridge and the unnamed crossing had been partially washed away, leaving one lane of the road undercut with a 2.5m drop to the water's edge.
"For safety reasons, locked gates are in place between the NSW border and Bell Bridge, allowing access only for residents with four-wheel-drive vehicles, emergency vehicles and construction crews," he said.
"Signage has been installed to advise motorists of these arrangements, which will remain in place while the repair works and construction continues.
"I have asked Main Roads crews to accelerate construction of the previously planned new bridge at the unnamed crossing and also fast-track the design and construction of a replacement crossing for Taaffe Bridge."
Main Roads staff met this morning with affected residents in the area to discuss access arrangements and will remain in regular contact to brief them about prevailing road conditions.
Funding of $3.3 million for the replacement of the unnamed crossing is available under the Queensland Government's Roads Implementation Program, with the other repairs to be funded as part of the joint state-federal Natural Disaster Relief Recovery Arrangements.
NOTE TO EDITORS: Photographs of damaged roads and bridges available.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt today praised the collaborative work of government agencies and councils to provide emergency road access for local residents affected by last week’s deluge.
"During the recent floods, the stream gauge at Running Creek recorded the highest level on record since recording began in the 1960s," Mr Pitt said.
"Crews from Main Roads, the Beaudesert and Boonah shire councils and Emergency Services Queensland have worked tirelessly to reinstate access for emergency vehicles and residents with four-wheel-drive vehicles.
"As soon as the flood waters receded, Main Roads and shire work crews commenced repairs and restored temporary access to three crossings along Running Creek Road – at Bell Bridge, Taaffe Bridge and an unnamed crossing – using a combination of rock and steel pipes.
"In the coming weeks, Main Roads staff will continue to work with local councils to provide safer and more reliable access through this and other sections of the road.
"It is expected that it will take at least four to six weeks to reinstate temporary access for all vehicles and allow specialist equipment to be brought in to start building more permanent structures."
Mr Pitt said a 250m section of road between Taaffe Bridge and the unnamed crossing had been partially washed away, leaving one lane of the road undercut with a 2.5m drop to the water's edge.
"For safety reasons, locked gates are in place between the NSW border and Bell Bridge, allowing access only for residents with four-wheel-drive vehicles, emergency vehicles and construction crews," he said.
"Signage has been installed to advise motorists of these arrangements, which will remain in place while the repair works and construction continues.
"I have asked Main Roads crews to accelerate construction of the previously planned new bridge at the unnamed crossing and also fast-track the design and construction of a replacement crossing for Taaffe Bridge."
Main Roads staff met this morning with affected residents in the area to discuss access arrangements and will remain in regular contact to brief them about prevailing road conditions.
Funding of $3.3 million for the replacement of the unnamed crossing is available under the Queensland Government's Roads Implementation Program, with the other repairs to be funded as part of the joint state-federal Natural Disaster Relief Recovery Arrangements.
NOTE TO EDITORS: Photographs of damaged roads and bridges available.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819