Giant crane sets Stuart Creek span in place

A massive 440-tonne crane has swung into action today at the Townsville Port Access Road project, lifting the largest spans of the new bridge at Stuart Creek into place.

Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt, who inspected the project today with Member for Mundingburra Lindy Nelson-Carr, said the crane would lift the span in five components, each weighing 70 tonnes, in an exercise expected to take most of the day.

“I’m told the crane is one of the largest ever used in road construction projects in the North,” Mr Pitt said.

“It was transported in 20 semi-trailer loads from Gladstone and was assembled on site this week. The bridge span will be 32m long once complete.”

Mr Pitt said the spans were made locally in Townsville.

“Stuart Creek Bridge will form part of the Stuart Bypass, which connects the Bruce and Flinders highways as part of the Townsville Port Access Road,” Mr Pitt said.

“The Stuart Bypass is the first stage of the $190 million Townsville Port Access Road project, to which the Australian and Queensland governments have both committed $95 million.

“The project will make it easier for North Queensland businesses to get their goods and produce to the Townsville Port for shipping to local and international markets.

“Ultimately, this road will help give greater job security to North Queensland workers because businesses will be more competitive and have better access to their customers.”

Preliminary design is now finalised for the Stuart Bypass and construction of stage one will be completed by the end of the year.

The new Townsville Port Access Road will directly link the Flinders and Bruce highways to the Port of Townsville, which is one of Queensland's largest industrial ports and is an important driver of economic growth in North Queensland.

Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819