Twenty-three outdated Australian bridges will be replaced in a $50.3 million commitment from the Federal Government for upgrade and replacement projects.
Funded from its ongoing $85 million Bridges Renewal Program, the projects will address antiquated bridge infrastructure, often involving the replacement of single-lane timber bridges with safer and more durable double-lane, modern concrete structures.
Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories Minister, Kristy McBain, said the projects were an investment in improved freight transport.
“The Bridges Renewal Program funds the upgrade and replacement of bridges across Australia, to enhance access and improve freight transport through local communities,” Ms McBain said.
“These projects will support local communities and holiday makers to travel in greater safety, and assist businesses to deliver and receive their products and services more efficiently.”
The Bridges Renewal Program provides funding to state, territory and local governments for projects that upgrade and replace bridges to enhance access.
New South Wales will receive the lion’s share of funding, receiving over $14 million for nine bridge renewal projects, behind Queensland, which received $12.5 million for seven projects.
Read on for a full list and overview of funded projects.
Nine New South Wales projects were funded in the package, these include:
- Port Macquarie Hastings Council – $5,000,000
Replace the poor-condition timber bridge over Yippen Creek, Beechwood Road with new concrete structure, raising height by 6m
- Port Macquarie Hastings Council – $2,865,000
Replace existing one-lane timber bridge over Stoney Creek on Pembrooke Road, with modern two-lane concrete structure
- Goulburn Mulwaree Council – $565,968
Replace a causeway with a raised and widened concrete culvert
- Eurobodalla Shire Council – $900,000
Replace existing 71-metre-long, eight-span bridge with a 90-metre-long bridge. Bridge approaches will also be repaired and replaced
- Hay Shire Council – $700,000
Widen and strengthen the existing bridge over Budgee Creek on Maude Road, Hay Shire to 9.6-metre-wide and 160-tonne capacity
- Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council – $668,800
Replace the existing 5.2-metre-wide concrete bridge with 8.42-metre-wide InQuik concrete structure. Upgrade Monga Lane to be suitable as side-track during construction
- Hay Shire Council – $2,880,000
Replace the existing bridge over Nimmie Creek and ten nearby culverts on Maude Road, Hay Shire with two-lane structures
- Port Macquarie Hastings Council – $2,705,000
Replace the one-lane timber bridge over Snowball Creek on Stoney Creek Road, with a raised two-lane concrete structure
- Armidale Regional Council – $911,614
Construct a new concrete bridge at Bakers Creek on Old Hillgrove Road. Works will include the minor adjustment of bridge approaches for improved bridge safety, construction of a new concrete bridge and finishing works such as guardrails and signage
Seven Queensland projects were funded in the package, these include:
- Toowoomba Regional Council – $3,800,000
Replace the single-lane timber bridge in very poor condition with a two-lane modern concrete structure over the Condamine River on Branchview Road
- Ipswich City Council – $3,901,761
Replace the existing one-lane timber bridge over Western Creek on Hiddenvale Road, Calvert with a two-lane concrete structure
- Rockhampton Regional Council – $944,000
Replace a 70+-year-old single-lane culvert with a dual-lane concrete culvert over Scrubby Creek, Old Capricorn Highway, Gracemere
- Noosa Shire Council – $1,864,663
Replace the two-lane timber bridge with two-lane modern concrete structure over Six Mile Creek on Lawnville Rd, Cooroy
- Ipswich City Council – $1,747,860
Replace the existing one-lane timber bridge over Bremer River on Keanes Road, Calvert with one-lane concrete structure
- Hinchinbrook Shire Council – $1,840,000
Replace the 3.6-metre-diameter Helcor bridge with concrete bridge structure
- Hinchinbrook Shire Council – $400,000
Replace the existing timber structure with single-span bridge or culvert
The South Australian project funded in the package includes:
- Alexandrina Council – $600,000
Replace a 90-year-old, two-lane bridge with two-lane modern concrete structure over Meadows Creek on Wickham Hill Road, Kuitpo
The Tasmanian project funded in the package includes:
- West Tamar Council – $308,800
Strengthen and install standard guardrails on the existing bridge over Yorktown Rivulet on Greens Beach Road, York Town. Load limit will be increased from 44 tonnes to 70 tonnes
Four Victorian projects were funded in the package, these include:
- Hepburn Shire Council – $2,779,200
Reconstruct the historic 51-metre-long Monier arch bridge on Creswick Lawrence Road, Lawrence. The 120-year-old structure, constructed by Monash and Anderson in 1900, is at the end of its useful life
- Monash City Council – $450,000
Replace the existing bridge culvert over Mile Creek on Duerdin Street, Clayton with larger, stronger box-culvert bridge
- Victoria, Department of Transport – $5,000,000
Renew the existing Bandiana Link Road bridge on Hume Freeway, Wodonga
- Victoria, Department of Transport – $5,000,000
Replace the existing timber bridge over Rainbow Creek on Traralgon-Maffra Road, Heyfield with modern concrete structure
The Western Australian project funded in the package includes:
- City of Greater Geraldton – $4,539,307
Replace a 59-year-old bridge in poor condition with a modern concrete bridge over the Greenough River, Walkaway
