Words by Nick Crockford
Work is underway, following the torrential rains, to improve flood resilience, safety and capacity on the Bruce Highway north of Caboolture.
Ten three-lane bridges are being built at five creek crossings between Caboolture-Bribie Island Rd and Steve Irwin Way to withstand a one-in-100-year flood event.
This includes the area where significant flooding led to the Bruce Highway being cut during the torrential rain in late February.
“We’re working to make highway closures through this section far less common,” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said.
New bridges
“The new southbound bridges and approaches currently under construction at King John and Lagoon creeks will be at least 2.4 metres higher than the current low-lying ones.
“The existing northbound bridges over King John and Lagoon creeks, already higher than the southbound bridges, will be replaced with new bridges sitting 1.3 metres higher.”
The work is part of the $662.5 million Bruce Highway Caboolture/Bribie Island Rd to Steve Irwin Way upgrade, funded 80:20 by the Australian and Queensland governments.
It is expected to be completed by late 2023.
Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said crews were assessing sites affected by floodwater and resuming work.
Repairs
“Flood repairs will be scheduled on the Bruce Highway and a number of roads on the state-controlled road network in the coming months” Mr Bailey said.
“We know the road to recovery is going to be a long one, but we're working to progress these upgrades to give motorists and freight industry more certainty in the future."
Federal Member for Longman Terry Young said the works complemented the $163 million Deception Bay Road interchange, which is under construction.
“This upgrade includes two new bridges over the Bruce Highway and removal of the existing bridge, plus crucial upgrades to two intersections and drainage improvements at the interchange,” Mr Young said.
For current information on road works and conditions across the state, visit qldtraffic.gov.au, call 13 19 40 or download the QLDTraffic app.
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