November 13, 2013
The timber bridge on Drayton Street, Nanango, will be the first bridge to receive an upgrade through the South Burnett Regional Council’s “Bridges to Recovery” program.
“The Drayton Street Bridge is currently a timber bridge that is in poor condition with a load limit in place. It needs to be replaced with a pre-cast concrete bridge,” Council’s acting General Manager of Infrastructure Russell Hood said.
“Council requested tenders for the work and work is planned to commence on Friday, January 3, weather permitting,” he said.
In a special Council meeting held last Wednesday, construction was awarded to F K Gardner Civil Contractors to commence the upgrade.
“Drayton Street Bridge is one of several timber bridges across the region that needs to be replaced,” Mayor Wayne Kratzmann said.
“Council is still working on seeking funding from the Federal and State Government to assist in the acceleration of the Bridges to Recovery program.
“There are 16 other bridges in the region that are timber and require an upgrade. Some of these have load limits, which affects the transport of goods around our region.
“We have programmed the replacement of these bridges over a 10-year capital works program. Council will present a proposal to the Honourable Scott Emerson, Minister for Transport and Main Roads and we had approved a Bridges to Recovery resolution at the LGAQ conference in Cairns last week.
“The LGAQ and other Mayors were very supportive of this motion.
“It is essential that the funding to replace these bridges comes from Local, State and Federal governments. Local councils simply can’t afford to replace the timber bridges and restore an efficient transport network.
“South Burnett Regional Council will continue to work with the LGAQ to lobby both the State and Federal government to fund a Bridges to Recovery program.”
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