Published Thursday, 17 April, 2008 at 12:09 PM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
New $7.9m bridge over Sandy Creek opens to traffic
Construction of the new $7.9 million bridge over Sandy Creek on Homebush Road south-west of Mackay is now complete and will be open to traffic this week.
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said this significant project for the Mackay/Whitsunday area was built as part of the Regional Bridge Renewal Program.
"Homebush Road has become an important industry route between Paget, Eton and the Peak Downs Highway to the coalfields west of Mackay," Mr Pitt said.
"The bridge over Sandy Creek is now fully operational and final touches such as landscaping will be carried out in the following weeks.
"Main Roads plans to replace all timber bridges on the state-controlled road network to bring them in line with current modern design standards.”
Mr Pitt said the new bridge was constructed on a new alignment to improve safety, efficiency and flood immunity.
"Work was carried out by Basic Constructions and the bridge is now 147 metres long and stands 6.4 metres higher than the old bridge. It's an important structure that will greatly improve traffic flow in the region," he said.
The Regional Bridge Renewal Program involves the replacement of ageing and obsolete bridges with structures able to accommodate current and future freight load demands.
"There are now about 1400 vehicles, 14 per cent of which are heavy vehicles, travelling along Homebush Road each day, so it was important that the bridge was of a standard that could accommodate this traffic," Mr Pitt said.
Timber and parts from the old bridge will be recycled and used on other timber bridges in the Mackay area once it is demolished next month.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said this significant project for the Mackay/Whitsunday area was built as part of the Regional Bridge Renewal Program.
"Homebush Road has become an important industry route between Paget, Eton and the Peak Downs Highway to the coalfields west of Mackay," Mr Pitt said.
"The bridge over Sandy Creek is now fully operational and final touches such as landscaping will be carried out in the following weeks.
"Main Roads plans to replace all timber bridges on the state-controlled road network to bring them in line with current modern design standards.”
Mr Pitt said the new bridge was constructed on a new alignment to improve safety, efficiency and flood immunity.
"Work was carried out by Basic Constructions and the bridge is now 147 metres long and stands 6.4 metres higher than the old bridge. It's an important structure that will greatly improve traffic flow in the region," he said.
The Regional Bridge Renewal Program involves the replacement of ageing and obsolete bridges with structures able to accommodate current and future freight load demands.
"There are now about 1400 vehicles, 14 per cent of which are heavy vehicles, travelling along Homebush Road each day, so it was important that the bridge was of a standard that could accommodate this traffic," Mr Pitt said.
Timber and parts from the old bridge will be recycled and used on other timber bridges in the Mackay area once it is demolished next month.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819