THE federal government is throwing $53.36 million at Queensland to fix 17 bridges across the state.
Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss said the funding under the government's Bridges Renewal Programme was designed to productivity of Australia's local bridges, to better serve communities and drive greater efficiency in road freight and traffic movement.
"By upgrading these bridges from, for example, by replacing one-lane timber bridges with two-lane concrete bridges, residents will enjoy better and more reliable road access," he said.
"Freight from farms and local factories will be able to pass safely along quicker routes with greatly improve productivity."
Queensland Minister for Main Roads and Road Safety Mark Bailey said the new, two-lane concrete bridges would significantly improve access for a number of local communities across regional Queensland.
"These upgrades are particularly important for people in regional areas who rely on a safe and efficient road network. The planned upgrades will also improve access for the movement of freight and other goods in regional and rural parts of the state," he said.
"For example, the Peak Downs Highway is one of the primary routes to the coal-rich Bowen Basin. The replacement of four timber bridges with wider, stronger bridge structures and better flood resilience will greatly improve the flow of freight and enhance safety for all road users along this busy route.
"Importantly, these works will provide jobs in local communities at a time when jobs and job security are more important than ever."
Mr Bailey said local councils would play a vital role managing 11 of the 17 bridge upgrades in Queensland.
The projects are:
Four bridges on Peak Downs Highway between Nebo and Mackay.
Caboolture River Bridge, Morayfield Road, (Southbound), Caboolture.
Kogan Creek Bridge, Dalby – Kogan Road
Lonesome Creek Bridge, Theodore Moura Rd
Walton Bridge, Waterworks Rd, The Gap, Brisbane
Middleton's Bridge Lockrose North Rd, Lockrose
Darcy Edmunds Bridge, Brisbane St Service Rd/ Cusack Lane, Jimboomba
Groves Creek Bridge, Speewah Rd, Speewah
Nive River Bridge, Old Tambo Rd, 108kms north of Charleville
Langlo River Bridge Charleville Adavale Rd, Langlo,
Taylors Bridge over Cressbrook Creek, on Esk Crows Nest Rd, Biarra
Jenkinsons Bridge over Sandy Creek on McCauleys Lane 8kms NE Kilcoy.
Scrubby Creek Bridge, Villeneuve Rd, Villeneuve 150kms NE of Toowoomba.
Sandy Creek Bridge on Sandy Creek Rd, 10kms from Warwick
