$103m Saltwater Creek Bridge Upgrade complete one year ahead of schedule

Bruce Highway, queensland, Saltwater Creek Bridge,

January 16, 2023

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The $103m Saltwater Creek Bridge Upgrade near Aldershot for the Bruce Highway project has been completed one year ahead of schedule.

The project saw an 11-kilometre section of the Bruce Highway between Maryborough and Torbanlea upgraded to be more flood resilient – ready to withstand major flooding events.

“This new section has been built to a standard that means there is a one per cent chance of the highway being closed due to flooding in any given year,” says Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King.

“We are investing in infrastructure projects that will deliver an immediate economic boost by reducing the potential for social, economic and safety risks associated with flood-related highway closures,” says Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King.

“Early completion of the works is a testament to the dedication of teams on the ground – one whole year ahead of schedule,” says Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey.

“It’s holiday makers heading up and down the coast who will now reap the safety benefits this upgrade has afforded, as will local residents and workers,” says Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey.

“This stretch connects to the future location of our Queensland made Train Manufacturing hub in Torbanlea so that we will be getting a workout sure enough,” says Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey.

A new high-level bridge at Deadmans Gully has been constructed on a new alignment to replace the existing crossing, which was opened by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk earlier this year.

“Queenslanders are no strangers to natural disasters, we have the most of any state in the country. That’s why the Palaszczuk Government is committed to building back better, creating safer and more resilient roads and infrastructure that will withstand the next storm and keep our regional communities connected,” says Queensland Acting Premier Steven Miles.

Works wrapped up over the Christmas and New Year period, which saw speed limits returned to 100km/h along the stretch.

A total of four floodways north of Saltwater Creek have been upgraded, which aim to reduce the impacts for motorists associated with flood-related highway closures between Maryborough and Torbanlea.

The $103 million project is jointly funded as part of the Bruce Highway Upgrade Program, with the Australian Government contributing $82.41 million and the Queensland Government contributing $20.59 million.

“This upgrade is one of 55 currently underway on the Bruce Highway, showing just how mammoth our commitment to a better Bruce is,” says Queensland Assistant Minister for Regional Roads and Member for Maryborough Bruce Saunders.

The Bruce Highway Upgrade Program is the largest road infrastructure program in Queensland. It will deliver $13 billion of work over 15 years (2013-14 to 2027-28). It aims to improve safety, flood resilience, and capacity along the length and breadth of the highway between Brisbane and Cairns. The program is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments on an 80:20 basis.

Several projects remain underway on the Bruce Highway between Gympie and north of Bundaberg.

Source: © The State of Queensland 1997–2023

Image source: © Commonwealth of Australia