Queensland Premier says she is keen to have the key south-western freight route operating again
Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says the state government is moving quickly ahead on a project to replace the Angellala Creek bridge on the Mitchell Highway.
Ormeau-based builder Davbridge Constructions has won the $10 million tender to rebuild the critical bridge, destroyed when a truck carrying ammonium nitrate exploded there in September last year.
The contract includes $4 million for reconstruction of the bridge, as well as further funds for the construction of a temporary side track, already built.
“I’m pleased to announce that work to rebuild a permanent link will start less than a year after the explosion that shut down this crucial transport corridor,” Palaszczuk says.
With the bridge out of action, heavy vehicles have been forced to detour up to 550km through Roma, St George, and Cunnamulla.
At 9.2 metres, the new bridge will be widerthan the previous structure, and will also be one metre higher. This will bring the construction up to current engineering and flood prevention standards.
The first construction work is due to begin next month, with the full project to be finished before December this year.