October 19, 2023
Residents looking forward to a new bridge on Chinchilla-Wondai Road will have to wait a fair bit longer.
Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington asked a Question on Notice in regards to the fate of the project and the $13.05 million worth of funding which had been previously budgeted to replace the single-lane GS Bond Bridge, east of Durong.
This funding appeared to have disappeared from Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program (QTRIP) documents.
Transport Minister Mark Bailey replied this week, stating that the funding, under the State Road Network Upgrades investment program, was still allocated to the project.
“TMR has been examining engineering options for replacing the bridge on different alignments,” Minister Bailey said.
“During this process, complex construction constraints were identified.
“It is anticipated that a preferred option for a new bridge alignment will be determined by mid-2024.”
The speed limit approaching the bridge was lowered in November 2021 because of safety fears.
Transport and Main Roads Southern Queensland regional director Bill Lansbury said at the time the speed limit reduction and installation of extra signs would provide safer driving conditions while the department continued to investigate bridge replacement options.
“A speed limit review has been undertaken and the recommendation to reduce the speed limit from 100km/h to 80km/h on both approaches to GS Bond Bridge has been endorsed by the speed management committee,” Mr Lansbury said.
