Upgrades for Rockhampton bridges

Published on 15 September 2020

Bridge road

Two bridges on Casuarina Road, Midgee, are getting a much needed upgrade thanks to nearly $800,000 of funding from the Australian Government Bridge Renewal Program and Rockhampton Regional Council.

Timber bridges on Swan Creek and Serpentine Creek are some of the last to be updated to concrete bridges as part of a gradual process by Council to upgrade all of the rural timber bridges in the Rockhampton region. 

Rockhampton Region Mayor Margaret Strelow said the funding from the Australian Government will allow the old structures to be replaced with concrete bridges to bring them up to modern day standards.

“We are fortunate to have received $328,575 in Australian Government funding, and are looking forward to seeing the finished bridges in early November,” Mayor Strelow said. 

“Over the last few years, Council has been working away to slowly upgrade all of our older, rural bridges to bring them up to today’s standards and the bridges at Swan Creek and Serpentine Creek are some of the last remaining ones to be replaced.”

Councillor for Infrastructure Tony Williams said the old bridges have load limits on them which means access has previously been restricted for trucks needing to access properties past the bridges. 

“The new bridges will provide reliable access to properties and restore access for trucks that previously were unable to use the timber bridges due to load limits,” Councillor Williams said.

“The old bridges are nearing their end of life so it makes sense to replace them with safer, more reliable bridges that will be around for generations to come.”

Construction commenced on 31 August and the new bridges are expected to be ready to use by early November.