Truckies are now travelling on a new northbound bridge over Norris Creek on Mount Lindesay Highway in what federal and state governments are calling a “significant milestone” for the busy Queensland road’s upgrade.
Federal Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said the jointly funded $75 million Stoney Camp to Chambers Flat roads upgrade is widening the highway to four lanes, bringing safety and environmental improvements for all road users.
“The new bridge a crucial part of the upgrade, with more than 40 girders, each weighing 22 tonnes, craned in to form the bridge structure,” Minister Fletcher said.
“The new bridge provides one-in-100-year flood immunity, keeping communities connected during wet-weather events.
“Motorists are getting their first taste of the Mount Lindesay Highway upgrade benefits and work will now move on to building the southbound bridge over Norris Creek.”
Under the Urban Congestion Fund, the federal government is delivering 182 packages of work nationwide. The total number of projects that are now completed or underway nationwide is 78. By the end of 2022, more than 80 per cent of all packages are expected to be completed or under construction.
Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the new bridge would provide a critical link along the four-kilometre highway upgrade which would transform journeys for road users.
“It’s part of the Palaszczuk Government’s $27.5 billion four-year road and transport plan creating 24,000 jobs and driving Queensland’s economic recovery from COVID-19,” Bailey said.
“In addition to the new bridge over Norris Creek, lanes are being duplicated, safety measures installed, and fauna connectivity and protections delivered.
“Not only are we delivering a safer journey for all road users, we are also ensuring a reliable road network now and into the future.”
Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport and Federal Member for Wright, Scott Buchholz MP, said the project is providing an important safety and economic boost for local communities.
“This project is about improving safety for our road users and flood resilience for the region,” Buchholz said.
“These investments in road safety save lives and reduce road trauma, ensuring that all road users can get home sooner and safer.”
State Member for Logan Linus Power said the Mount Lindesay Highway was one of Queensland’s busiest highways, with its upgrade demonstrating the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to the growing region of Logan.
“There are currently between 25,000 and 45,000 people using the Mount Lindesay Highway between Browns Plains and Jimboomba daily,” Power said.
“There is over $180 million invested in upgrades along the stretch as part of our 10-year strategic vision for the region.
“What’s great is that this investment will deliver real benefits for locals, as well as support local jobs and suppliers during construction.
“I’m pleased to see Queensland based HullSee Joint Venture engaged on this project, and it’s fantastic to see this next milestone now reached.”