{"id":233947,"date":"2019-04-26T21:21:13","date_gmt":"2019-04-26T11:21:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=233947"},"modified":"2020-07-21T11:49:05","modified_gmt":"2020-07-21T01:49:05","slug":"20m-promise-to-replace-bridge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2019\/04\/26\/20m-promise-to-replace-bridge\/","title":{"rendered":"$20m Promise To Replace Bridge"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Members of the Mundubbera to Jandowae Roads Working Group chat with Drought Envoy\u00a0 Barnaby Joyce and Member for Flynn Ken O’Dowd at the John Peterson Bridge in March\u00a0 (Photo: MJRWG)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

April 26, 2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Federal Coalition has promised to spend $20 million to replace the single-lane John Peterson Bridge over the Boyne River near Mundubbera if re-elected.<\/p>\n

Replacement of the bridge has been a key concern for farmers and agri-businesses in the western part of the South Burnett for many years.<\/p>\n

A lobby group, the\u00a0Mundubbera to Jandowae Roads Working Group (MJRWG),\u00a0was formed in 2017 to press the case as well as pushing for upgrades to Mundubbera-Durong Road.<\/p>\n

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack promised on Friday that a re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government would replace the bridge.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe John Peterson Bridge on Mundubbera-Durong Road is subject to flooding, causing safety concerns for people travelling on this key route linking the North and South Burnett regions,\u201d Mr McCormack said.<\/p>\n

Federal Member for Flynn Ken O\u2019Dowd said the\u00a0vital freight route along Mundubbera-Durong Road was cut during heavy weather.<\/strong><\/p>\n

“This project will involve construction of a new bridge, as well as realigning its approaches to eliminate dangerous S-bends,” he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a key route connecting the Western Downs with Rockhampton and is used by thousands of heavy vehicles carting cattle, timber and grain on a weekly basis.<\/p>\n

“We all know that if a bridge is out of action it could mean a diversion of hundreds of kilometres to find a safe alternate route.”<\/p>\n

AgForce general president – and MJRWG chair – Durong grazier Georgie Somerset said a new bridge would produce economic and social benefits for the entire region.<\/strong><\/p>\n

She said design work\u00a0to replace and realign the existing low-level timber bridge with a new high-level bridge had already been completed by the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads.<\/p>\n

North Burnett Mayor Rachel Chambers also welcomed the announcement, saying Council had advocated strongly for the replacement of the bridge for many years.<\/p>\n

“We will\u00a0continue to work closely with the MJRWG to see this project realised and\u00a0support further improvements to this north-south inland linkage,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

BIEDO CEO Kristy Frahm also praised the commitment.<\/strong><\/p>\n

She said a new two-lane concrete bridge would improve road access and reliability.<\/p>\n

“As part of the MJRWG, we’ve been working with all levels of government, as well as local organisations, to collaborate and prioritise solutions to create connected communities through a focus on infrastructure,” Mrs Frahm said.<\/p>\n

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