Better bridges to boost flood immunity as projects ramp up around Toowoomba region

The Postmans Ridge community can look forward to more local upgrades with the Rocky Creek Bridge on Murphy's Creek Road to be replaced.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said $11 million would be invested to replace the bridge, one of many regional infrastructure projects being funded in Queensland's COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan.

"The current bridge was built in 1928 and is a single lane bridge with give way control," Mr Bailey said.

"The new bridge will have two lanes to improve safety, flood resilience and traffic flow by removing the need for westbound traffic to stop and give way.

"The approaches to the bridge will also be realigned to improve sight distances for traffic.

"The bridge work is expected to ramp up from late August/early September, just as works on the Murphy’s Creek Road and Brookside Place intersection come to an end."

Mr Bailey said Murphy’s Creek Road was an alternative route for trucks between Toowoomba Connection Road and the New England Highway, when the Toowoomba Range is closed.

“The intersection upgrade at Murphy's Creek Road and Brookside Place has improved safety and congestion, so the Rocky Creek bridge replacement will remove another bottle neck for locals," he said.

The new bridge is expected to be ready for use in mid-2022.

There will be minimal disruption to motorists during works as the new bridge will be built beside the old bridge before it is decommissioned.

Works to replace the bridge will be carried out Monday to Friday, between 6am and 6pm, with some Saturday works as required.

Assistant Regional Roads Minister Bruce Saunders said communities south of Toowoomba could look forward to some local road improvements too.

“The Palaszczuk Government has committed $2.6 million to repair and re-seal sections of Clifton Leyburn Road over the next two years.

“The works will cover the entire stretch of the road, from the Clifton township to the Toowoomba-Karara Road intersection.”

 Mr Saunders said planning was also underway to improve flood resilience on the Gore Highway between Millmerran and Goondiwindi.

"We have completed a flood study that calculated the Gore Highway closes on average for 56 hours per year, between Westbrook and the Leichhardt Highway," Mr Saunders said.

"Flooding at the southern-most crossing of Wyaga Creek at Kilbronae is the largest contributor to the highway closures, with the crossing closed for an average of 44 hours per year.

“When the road is closed, it slows down critical transport and industry, so we want to safeguard it in the future to keep driving our economy, and the region’s businesses.

“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to keeping our economy moving and driving Queensland’s economic recovery from Covid-19.

“We’re doing this through the Palaszczuk Government’s record $27.5 billion, four-year roads and transport investment plan to support 24,000 jobs.”

Mr Saunders said Transport and Main Roads had undertaken hydraulic assessments of Wyaga Creek to inform the design of a new crossing.

“From these studies, it is predicted a new bridge will to reduce the average road closure at Kilbronae from 44 hours to 30 minutes per year," he said.

“Completing detailed project designs will give us an idea on what level of funding will be required for future works.”

For further information or to provide feedback about the Wyaga Creek crossing upgrade, visit www.tmr.qld.gov.au.

ENDS

Media contact: Toby Walker - 0439 347 875