April 19, 2013
The Stuart River Bridge near Proston fully re-opened to traffic last Friday … and no one is more happy than the nearby Smithfield Feedlot.
Traffic limitations on the bridge, which were put in place in March, were forcing trucks bringing feed and cattle to the feedlot to travel via Durong, Tingoora, Wondai and Proston, adding a substantial distance – and cost – to their journey.
The bridge was damaged during the March floods.
South Burnett Regional Council issued an urgent “bridge closure” notice on March 6 after inspections by the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
The department’s RoadTek crews worked on the bridge and it partially re-opened the following afternoon, but traffic was reduced to one lane with a 20 tonne load limit and a 40km/h speed limit.
Smithfield managing director Jason Shearer-Smith said today he was very happy the bridge was now fully re-opened.
“Council was very encouraging in trying to get the bridge repaired and we would like to thank them for their support,” Mr Shearer-Smith said.
Mayor Wayne Kratzmann said the Department of Transport and Main Roads had repaired some structural defects with the bridge.
- Related article: Bridge Bill Is Ticking Over
