Road repairs ramp up with major construction contracts

Works to repair damaged Queensland road across the Gold Coast hinterland as a result of Cyclone Debbie are moving ahead following the awarding of two major construction contracts.

Georgiou Group will carry out work on the Gold Coast-Springbrook Road and McIlwain Civil Engineering will repair the Lamington National Park Road, with construction expected to begin this January and complete by the end of the year.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said in a statement that around 200 landslips have been recorded in the area, with significant challenges ahead for the contractors tasked with the works.

“The team has been faced with significant challenges such as battered embankments, exposed fractured-rock faces and unstable ground conditions near the landslips,” said Mr. Bailey.

‘‘These have been addressed during the planning and design stages, with a range of engineering methods set to be used during construction to stabilise the embankments and repair pavement as required at each site.”

Mr. Bailey said restoration work on three of the most critical sites on Lamington National Park Road started in August 2017 with work expected to be completed later this month, weather permitting.

‘‘These works will restore a further 83 sites and six-tonne load limits will remain in place until the end of all reconstruction work,” he said.

Mr Bailey said significant work had already taken place across the South Coast District in response to damage sustained by the cyclone.

Repairs to John Muntz Causeway and Pine Creek Road were completed mid-2017.

Restoration works at a critical site along Currumbin Creek–Tomewin Mountain Road will be finished this month and design has been finalised for the remaining sites along this road.

According to the statement, eligible reconstruction works will be jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements.