September 6, 2018
Funding under Round 6 of the Federal Government’s “Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program” should lead to a few more safer connecting roads in areas surrounding the South Burnett.
The timber bridge over Emu Creek on the New England Highway, north of Cooyar, is going to be replaced by a concrete structure at a cost of $9.263 million.
The Federal Government will be contributing $4.631 million towards the cost.
Motorists travelling on the D’Aguilar Highway will also be pleased to know an 8.5m wide timber bridge just east of Kilcoy is going to be replaced by a 12m wide two-lane concrete bridge.
This bridge, over Kilcoy Creek near Winya, will be replaced at a total cost of $5.88 million, with the Federal Government supplying $2.94 million.
This project aims to improve safety, reduce maintenance and remove current load limits and permit restrictions.
An important back route linking the Brisbane Valley Highway to Kilcoy is also going to get an upgrade.
The bitumen seal on Gregors Creek Road at Gregors Creek will be widened to seven metres for 3km at a total cost of $2.07 million, with the Federal Government kicking in half of the cost.
Somerset Regional Council Mayor Graeme Lehmann said the upgrade would be done at the same time as a $1.2 million project to replace the last single-lane bridge on Gregors Creek Road, which was also being 50 per cent funded by the Federal Government.
“People know that they can save 6.5km one-way by using Gregors Creek compared with the highway route and this widening will result in a considerably safer and more productive road for commercial vehicles,” Mayor Lehmann said.
In the Toowoomba Regional Council area, a 3.3km stretch of the Bowenville-Moola Road at Bowenville will be widened and strengthened to improve safety for heavy vehicles.
The total cost of this project will be $2.9 million with the Federal Government contributing $1.45 million.
Opposition Leader and Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington said the Federal Government’s funding announcements were fantastic news.
