Govt commissions $170m Yeppen Floodplain project

The Federal Government has commissioned the landmark Yeppen Floodplain project on Rockhampton’s southern outskirts in Queensland.

The $170 million project will substantially improve the Bruce Highway’s ability to remain open during major floods.

The project includes the construction of 2.1 kilometres of new bridges across the Yeppen Floodplain, as well as major intersection upgrades.

Of the 2.1 kilometres of new bridge, 1.6 kilometres comprises what will be the longest bridge on the Bruce Highway.

“Cyclones and flooding are an acknowledged risk for Queensland and the state has shown its resilience in responding to more than its share of natural disasters in recent years,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss in a statement.

“In Central Queensland, during times of natural disasters the Yeppen Floodplain has proven to be a weak link in the Bruce Highway.

“It was only as recently as 2012 that the highway was cut at the Yeppen Floodplain for nearly two weeks, resulting in millions of dollars of economic losses through reduced tourism and industry productivity and general disruption to the northern half of Queensland.

“With the Yeppen bridges open, access to the south of Rockhampton is now assured in all flooding scenarios up to a one-in-100-year event.”

The Australian Government contributed $136 million and the Queensland Government $34 million, towards the $170 million project.