Bridge renewal boosts region

Published on 17 December 2020

Acting Mayor Fisher, Ken O'Dowd, Councillor Williams at Casuarina Road

Two brand new bridges are set to improve safety and remove load limits along Casuarina Road, Midgee, thanks to an $800,000 project jointly funded by the Australian Government. The structures replace the two bridges formerly in their place.

Federal member for Flynn, Ken O’Dowd said replacing old timber bridges with concrete bridges ensures that important regional road links are safer, more reliable and more efficient. 

“Making sure ageing bridges are replaced - such as Serpentine and Swan Creek - is just another part of our plan to invest in the region’s road safety and help get people home sooner and safer,” Mr O’Dowd said.

“I am pleased that the replacement of existing bridges on Casuarina Road received funding through the Bridges Renewal Program Round 4 which provides up to 50 percent of the cost of repairing or replacing old and unsafe local bridges, and is a fantastic win for local communities.

“Under Round 4, the government has committed $57 million to help fund vital local bridgeworks following the completion of an open, merit-based selection process.”

Rockhampton Region Acting Mayor Neil Fisher said the original bridges had limited load capacity which made it difficult for heavier vehicles to take the route. 

“Rockhampton Regional Council is fortunate to have received funding under the Bridges Renewal Program which is an Australian Government initiative that supports the upgrading of bridges across the nation to deliver improvements in productivity and community access,” Acting Mayor Fisher said.

“We know that now, more than ever, funding through programs like these for road infrastructure projects is vital to support local jobs and enable economic growth during a difficult time in our country’s economic history.”

Councillor for Infrastructure Tony Williams is pleased to see the completion of the two bridges.

“The bridges over Serpentine and Swan Creek have now been replaced by modern, safer, steel and concrete bridges” Cr Williams said.

“The old timber bridges have been around for decades, and their condition imposed a 15 tonne load limit, but with the new bridges we won’t require load limits and trucks going over the bridges won’t be restricted.”

The bridge replacements started in August this year and were completed in November.

More information on the Bridges Renewal Program is available at https://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/infrastructure_investment/bridges_renewal.aspx