April 10, 2017
The historic Dickabram Bridge – blamed a decade ago for the closure of the Kingaroy-Theebine rail line – is about to get an $8 million makeover by the State Government.
The poor condition of the bridge at Theebine was a major reason put forward at the time for the closure of the rail link, which had been mothballed for several years before being officially closed on Christmas Eve 2010.
The Heritage-listed Dickabram Bridge was built as rail / vehicle / pedestrian bridge and commissioned in 1886.
In 2009, some maintenance work was carried out, including replacing several major timber components such as decking and handrails, to allow the bridge to continue carrying road traffic.
This time the works will involve replacing some more of the aged timber girders, decking, piles and other structural elements. Steel elements will also be re-painted with a special coating to protect the structure from corrosion.
But the Department of Transport and Main Roads said the existing 15 tonne load limit would remain once works are complete.
“The Department of Transport and Main Roads has investigated several options to rehabilitate the structure, each with varying levels of impact to motorists and the local communities,” a spokesman said.
“Unfortunately due to the age and design of the bridge, coupled with the complexity of the required works, rehabilitating the structure under traffic is not possible.
“Long-term continuous closures, including weekends, will be required.”
Pedestrian access will remain closed during the repairs.
Significant structural works requiring a long-term closure of the bridge are scheduled to occur between April (after Easter) and late November 2017; and February 2018 to late 2018.
Strange how Moreton Resources’ rail link is proposed to use this bridge and now we see that the government’s funding the project to fix the bridge. Unfortunately, this is another clear piece of evidence that the proposed Kingaroy coal mine will be approved. After all the government is set to reap billions from this mine.
I don’t agree. The bridge is Heritage listed and owned by the State Government so they have an obligation to preserve it in some fashion. A 15 tonne load limit would defeat most heavy haulage across it, and probably a slurry pipeline too. As for “reaping billions”, most forecasts from the mining industry about how much governments will make in royalties are wildly over-optimistic. Queensland’s CSG industry promised $800 million a year when it started, but last year delivered just $36 million. I can’t see second-rate coal from the Moreton lease even finding a buyer.