Work Starts On $25m Bridge

FLASHBACK: Members of the Mundubbera to Jandowae Roads Working Group chat with Federal MPs Barnaby Joyce and Ken O’Dowd at the John Peterson Bridge in 2019 (Photo: MJRWG)

January 24, 2021

Construction work to replace the dangerous John Peterson Bridge over the Boyne River has begun.

The narrow, single-lane bridge on the Mundubbera-Durong Road, south of Mundubbera, is prone to flooding, cutting a vital freight link between the North and South Burnett regions.

It has also been the site of numerous incidents, including a fatal crash in September 2020 when a 25-year-old man travelling towards Mundubbera crashed off the bridge and died.

The $25 million project to replace the bridge is being jointly funded by the Federal Government ($20 million) and the State Government ($5 million).

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce said the new concrete bridge would feature two lanes, guardrails and safer road approaches.

“The project involves replacing the low-level, timber bridge with a higher, wider and longer concrete bridge on a safer, straighter alignment,” he said.

“The community has called for a replacement bridge and we’re pleased to be able to deliver these improved long-term structural and safety benefits.

“The replacement works will improve the bridge’s flood immunity to withstand a one-in-100-year flood and maintain network connectivity on this important freight route.

“As well as being built at a higher level, the new bridge will reduce the need for ongoing maintenance and the posted speed limit will be raised at the crossing from 60km/h to 100km/h upon completion.”

Queensland Transport Minister Mark Bailey said the new bridge would bring peace of mind to local residents, delivering a reliable connection over the Boyne River during the wet season.

“The new John Peterson Bridge will be built about 500 metres west of the existing bridge by Queensland Bridge and Civil,” Minister Bailey said.

“At this location, the new bridge will be on a straighter and safer alignment, shortening the route for drivers by about 700 metres.

“As part of the upgrade, safety upgrades will be undertaken at the Hawkwood and Beeron roads intersections in addition to tying in the new road alignment.”

Drivers will continue to use the old bridge while the new one is being built.

Construction is expected to be complete by early 2023.

The Mundubbera to Jandowae Roads Working Group – formed in 2017 to press for upgrades to the Mundubbera-Durong Road case – organised a petition in 2019 calling for the replacement of the bridge as well as upgrades and improvements to Mundubbera-Durong Road.

This petition garnered more than 2000 signatures.

The RWG had representatives from the North Burnett, South Burnett and Western Downs Regional Councils, Regional Development Australia Wide Bay Burnett, AgForce Queensland, Toowoomba Surat Basin Enterprise (TSBE) and the Burnett Inland Economic Development Organisation (BIEDO).

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