QLD invests in better road train access

The Queensland Government has recognised the benefits of increasing access for type 1 road train vehicles east of Biloela to industry and the state’s economy following completion of a $40 million project to replace timber bridges in Central Queensland.

“Replacement of the five timber bridges is a significant step towards improved access for these larger freight efficient vehicles,” said Queensland Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning, Cameron Dick.

“With significant agricultural production and Queensland’s largest multi-commodity port at Gladstone, the reinvestment of $14 million in project savings will see further works towards building a highway suitable for larger freight vehicles to access national and international markets,” he said.

The Queensland Government is investigating new highway upgrades after a $40 million project to replace long-standing timber bridges on the Dawson Highway in Central Queensland was been completed under budget and ahead of time

Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said there were now five new bridges between Gladstone and Biloela.

The project, funded through the State Infrastructure Plan, has replaced long-standing timber bridges at Nine Mile Creek, Catfish Creek, Sheep Station Creek, Maxwelton Creek and Doubtful Creek.

Bailey said the first of the new bridges opened to traffic in December 2017, and with construction efficiencies achieved by the contractor, site works were accelerated to enable the remaining four bridges to open to traffic in April 2018.

“This project delivers immediate regional freight efficiency improvements and flood immunity of the Dawson Highway,” said Bailey.

“To complete construction of all five bridges in just 12 months, despite two flash floods in 2017 inundating the worksites, is a tribute to the technical capability of Golding Contractors which delivered the project.

“We are already looking at opportunities to reinvest savings from this project, which are about $14 million, into further upgrades of the Dawson Highway to deliver road safety and accessibility improvements.”

Member for Gladstone Glenn Butcher said replacing these five timber bridges has resulted in a wider Dawson Highway, increasing safety for all road users.

“The weight limits on these timber bridges were a major inhibitor to the region’s freight operations, with some vehicles travelling hundreds of additional kilometres via Rockhampton.

“The new concrete structures are part of the continuing improvement of the Dawson Highway to open up new transport opportunities for the region.”