TMR again reduces lanes of Barron River bridge at Kuranda

For the first time the Crisafulli Government has committed to a Barron River bridge fix business case as the beleaguered structure again undergoes another round of maintenance and testing.

Roadtek employees work on the underside of the Barron River bridge at Kuranda. Picture: TMR

For the first time the Crisafulli Government has committed to a Barron River bridge fix business case as the beleaguered structure again undergoes another round of maintenance and testing.

More traffic disruptions on the ageing bridge at Kuranda beginning this week mark a four-year period of rolling traffic reductions and weight limits.

Frustrated motorists are now waiting on the new LNP state government to reveal its long-term plans for the crossing.

However a spokeswoman for Transport and Main Roads Minister Brent Mickelberg stated this week the new Government will complete a business case for the Barron River bridge, which is expected to guide the project design and timeline of the replacement crossing.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Brent Mickelberg. Picture: David Clark

“The Crisafulli Government is committed to delivering a new Barron River Bridge and a fresh start for the Far North, after years of Labor’s failure to act,” the spokeswoman said.

“While commuters have been stuck in delays and reduced speed limits for the bridge, the previous Labor Government failed to complete a business case for the new bridge.

“Currently budgeted funds for the project are locked-in and will continue to progress this important project for the community.”

In November 2020, Transport and Main Roads reduced the bridge to single-lane operation to carry out investigations and repairs after a 2015 report discovered fatigue cracks in several steel elements of the bridge.

For the past four years, rolling full closures, single lane operation, and heavy vehicle weight limits have frustrated drivers and added an immeasurable extra cost for freight operators.

In February 2019, TMR imposed a 50.5 tonne load limit to manage heavy vehicle impacts after a 2015 report led to the discovery of fatigue cracks. Picture: TMR

Again on Monday, November 4, mobile traffic lights came out to limit vehicles over the bridge and will be in place until November 29.

“Traffic controllers will monitor queue lengths and working hours will be adjusted if required,” according to TMR

From Monday, November 18 until Friday, November 29 short intermittent full closures of up to 10 minutes will be required to allow for testing and maintenance works between 9am and 3pm.

In the lead-up to the election Labor committed $450m for a new bridge to be built by 2031.

Then deputy opposition leader Jarrod Bleijie, while on the campaign trail said the LNP was “committed to building a new Barron River bridge” but no figure was attached to the pledge.

Referencing the pre-election promise Mareeba Mayor Angela Toppin said residents were “anxiously awaiting news.”

The Barron River bridge at Kuranda will be reduced to single lane traffic between November 4 and November 29. Picture: TMR

“In the lead-up to the last election the new MPs indicated that they would certainly move things along and would fund a new bridge,” she said.

“We look forward to them delivering on this and I will be meeting with them in the very near future to remind them of the urgency of this.

“TMR have known that it has been failing for years and we are all very frustrated that nothing has been done sooner.

“The ongoing partial closures to undertake inspections and repairs have an impact on thousands of people who deserve better.”

The former government announced $450m to fund a new bridge for the Kennedy Highway over the Barron River near the Tablelands town of Kuranda. Traffic has been reduced to a single lane of traffic intermittently on the existing bridge since a load limit was introduced in 2019. Picture: Brendan Radke

While drivers wait for the new government’s long-term plan, time is running out on an Advance Cairns recommendation to release a detailed cost estimate and business case before the end of 2024.

“The government must prioritise delivery of the new Barron River Bridge, ensuring construction is complete sooner, by 2029 rather than out to 2031,” the statement reads.

“Not only will this ensure the safety of the community but will also address the critical need for improved network efficiency and connectivity that currently impedes economic development.”

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Originally published as TMR again reduces lanes of Barron River bridge at Kuranda