Published Friday, 03 October, 2008 at 11:59 AM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
Ward River Bridge works reach final phase
The upgrade of western Queensland's fourth-longest bridge has reached another milestone with work now underway on the final phase of the new Ward River Bridge near Charleville.
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said the $2.3 million contract awarded to Murweh Shire Council would involve construction of a new 2.3-kilometre western approach road on an improved alignment to increase the safety and visibility of motorists.
"The $15 million Ward River Bridge will be much safer for motorists and tourists travelling on the Diamantina Developmental Road from Quilpie to Charleville," Mr Pitt said.
"The Murweh Shire Council is doing an excellent job on the eastern road approach, having recently completed construction of about four kilometres of new road.
"The council will now replicate this work on the western approach to the bridge to ensure the road is as safe as possible.
"Once the western approach is completed, council will put the final bitumen seal down on the full 6.4-kilometre deviation of the Diamantina Developmental Road."
The work is expected to be completed by mid 2009, weather permitting.
The announcement of the new contract follows another recent milestone for the project, where 149 bridge piles were driven into the ground at the project site by the contractor, Davbridge.
"Construction of the concrete pilecaps to bind these piles to each of the piers at stream-bed level is now well underway," Mr Pitt said.
"Each of the twelve bridge piers will have two circular concrete columns (up to 9-metres high and 1.2-metres diameter) and headstock constructed to support the bridge decks.
"Work is progressing well with three of the twelve piers already constructed."
Mr Pitt said the new Ward River Bridge project was a fine example of the State Government's commitment to maintaining and enhancing regional infrastructure in south-west Queensland.
"The new bridge is being built on a much higher alignment than the existing Ward River and Woolshed Gully bridges to help improve flood immunity," he said.
"The western approaches will be at a lower level, but still have slightly improved flood immunity.
"Residents of Quilpie and Murweh shires will benefit significantly from this project and other works which are planned to commence shortly."
Tenders have now closed for a major upgrade of the Angellala Creek Bridge on the Warrego Highway, approximately 20 kilometres west of Morven (in Murweh Shire). This project will involve removing the existing bridge deck completely and replacing it with a much wider and stronger pre-stressed concrete deck.
Another project, currently in the planning phase, is the upgrade of a section of Morven-Charleville Road in Charleville to improve the road’s alignment and address important visibility and safety concerns.
These projects are important steps towards Main Roads’ goal of eventually allowing type II (three-trailer) road trains to travel between Morven and Charleville.
"We are moving forward in this region," Mr Pitt said.
"Main Roads is working hard with all local councils in the south-west to provide motorists with a safer and more reliable road network."
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said the $2.3 million contract awarded to Murweh Shire Council would involve construction of a new 2.3-kilometre western approach road on an improved alignment to increase the safety and visibility of motorists.
"The $15 million Ward River Bridge will be much safer for motorists and tourists travelling on the Diamantina Developmental Road from Quilpie to Charleville," Mr Pitt said.
"The Murweh Shire Council is doing an excellent job on the eastern road approach, having recently completed construction of about four kilometres of new road.
"The council will now replicate this work on the western approach to the bridge to ensure the road is as safe as possible.
"Once the western approach is completed, council will put the final bitumen seal down on the full 6.4-kilometre deviation of the Diamantina Developmental Road."
The work is expected to be completed by mid 2009, weather permitting.
The announcement of the new contract follows another recent milestone for the project, where 149 bridge piles were driven into the ground at the project site by the contractor, Davbridge.
"Construction of the concrete pilecaps to bind these piles to each of the piers at stream-bed level is now well underway," Mr Pitt said.
"Each of the twelve bridge piers will have two circular concrete columns (up to 9-metres high and 1.2-metres diameter) and headstock constructed to support the bridge decks.
"Work is progressing well with three of the twelve piers already constructed."
Mr Pitt said the new Ward River Bridge project was a fine example of the State Government's commitment to maintaining and enhancing regional infrastructure in south-west Queensland.
"The new bridge is being built on a much higher alignment than the existing Ward River and Woolshed Gully bridges to help improve flood immunity," he said.
"The western approaches will be at a lower level, but still have slightly improved flood immunity.
"Residents of Quilpie and Murweh shires will benefit significantly from this project and other works which are planned to commence shortly."
Tenders have now closed for a major upgrade of the Angellala Creek Bridge on the Warrego Highway, approximately 20 kilometres west of Morven (in Murweh Shire). This project will involve removing the existing bridge deck completely and replacing it with a much wider and stronger pre-stressed concrete deck.
Another project, currently in the planning phase, is the upgrade of a section of Morven-Charleville Road in Charleville to improve the road’s alignment and address important visibility and safety concerns.
These projects are important steps towards Main Roads’ goal of eventually allowing type II (three-trailer) road trains to travel between Morven and Charleville.
"We are moving forward in this region," Mr Pitt said.
"Main Roads is working hard with all local councils in the south-west to provide motorists with a safer and more reliable road network."
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819