Cyclone Debbie road repairs ramp up across the south coast

A storm of roadwork activity is underway in the south east, with a number of key roads being repaired following damage caused by Cyclone Debbie.

Repairs are progressing well on Gold Coast-Springbrook Road, Lamington National Park Road, Currumbin Creek-Tomewin Road (Tomewin Mountain Road) and Beechmont Road, while works will commence shortly on Nerang-Murwillumbah Road.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said these natural disaster reconstruction projects were being prioritised in a bid to help reduce the impact on affected communities.

“My department is committed to repairing the local road network as quickly as possible,” Mr Bailey said.

“Reconstruction work has been underway since early this year, with crews starting repairs on 18 critical sites and 35 minor sites on Gold Coast-Springbrook Road, and about 83 additional sites on Lamington National Park Road.

“Cyclone Debbie was a truly destructive storm that caused $2.4 billion in damages across the country – and Springbrook Road in particular suffered very severe damage as anyone who has driven the road since would see.

“The complex and sometimes dramatic nature of the damage meant structural and geotechnical investigations and design work were required on many sites in order to determine the full extent of damage and best value-for-money solutions for long-term repairs.

“Workers on repair sites like Springbrook Road are working carefully and methodically on sometimes perilous locations with severe drops to the valley below – their safety is paramount.”

“Typically, it takes two-to-three years to proceed through the planning, scoping, budget and design phases of a road project.

“The majority of these works, however, are planned for completion by the end of 2018, with Gold Coast-Springbrook Road expected to open to traffic in October, weather permitting."

Works currently underway to address the damage caused include bridge repairs, slope protection, embankment repairs, reconstruction, drainage and replacement of roadside furniture.

Night works are still required at several locations, with associated road closures to remain on Lamington National Park Road between Sundays and Thursdays, from 8pm to 6am.

Night works are also expected in the coming months for 14 sites on Tomewin Mountain Road, and one major site on Nerang-Murwillumbah Road at locations where there is not enough space for vehicles to pass machinery.

“Residents and motorists will be notified in advance about temporary changes to traffic conditions, and should expect reduced speed limits at work sites,” Mr Bailey said.

“There are 20 sites requiring reconstruction on Beechmont Road, the most challenging of which is a site near Mirani Street where one lane is open with temporary traffic signals.

“As well as work on the five hinterland roads, there are about 150 locations on 20 roads across Logan City, Scenic Rim and City of Gold Coast areas where reconstruction work will be undertaken.

“High-priority locations include Mount Lindesay Highway from Beaudesert to the New South Wales border, and Waterford-Tamborine Road at Albert River.

“I thank local residents, businesses and motorists for their patience during this time. TMR is working hard to complete all necessary roadworks as quickly as possible."

Eligible reconstruction works will be jointly funded by the Commonwealth and Queensland Government under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements.

ENDS

Media contact: Dominic Geiger, 0447355565