Calls for Bruce Highway bridges to be revamped following crash that shut down travel

One of North Queensland’s leading regional economists has called for action on the Bruce Highway’s struggling infrastructure after a crash yesterday. See what he thinks will solve the problem.

Herbert KAP candidate Colin Dwyer at Tony Ireland Stadium. Picture: Evan Morgan

A long-time North Queenslander and regional economist has redoubled calls for the Bruce Highway’s narrowest bridges to be upgraded, following a crash on Monday night.

While the cause of the crash that sent a B-double truck hauling chemicals over the side of the Mackenzie Creek Bridge on Monday evening is still unknown, regional economist Colin Dwyer says it’s time for infrastructure in the state’s north to meet modern standards.

“We’re talking bridges that are 40-years-old in many cases and in tropical conditions that can cause quick deterioration in the core standards of a bridge, that’s a concern,” Mr Dwyer said.

“One of the key factors however, is that a lot of the bridges that were build back then were built to different specifications than we expect today.”

Mr Dwyer said that current Transport and Main Road bridge specifications mandate bridges must be a certain size, which the current structures don’t meet.

Low visibility, storm conditions, and a lack of a safety features are all contributing to crashes on the Bruce Highway, says Colin Dwyer.

In the Transport and Main Roads document Design Criteria for Bridges and Other Structures, Transport and Main Roads, published in February 2021, bridges of the kind on the Bruce Highway must have two 3.5m traffic lanes, with 1.1m shoulders and a minimum width of 9.2m.

“Many of the bridges, if not all of these smaller bridges, are not 10m wide, that’s for sure,” Mr Dwyer said.

Colin Dwyer at Tony Ireland Stadium. Picture: Evan Morgan

“Maybe 3.3m with no median strip or these other features. They’re lucky to be 7m, which presents a big problem for trucks that can be multiple metres wide.

“If you have two trucks crossing on a bridge at the same time, the safety distance just isn’t there. Passenger buses are the same, if they were driving there, it’s a huge risk.”

Mr Dwyer identified as many as 16 bridges by name that pose such safety risks.

“As the Olympics approaches we are expecting more trucks, buses, caravans and overseas drivers on the northern Bruce,” Mr Dwyer said.

The Burdekin Bridge closes frequently in order to have trucks safely transported across.

“The narrow old, unsafe bridges of that region need to be prioritised by federal and state government. Yes it will cost billions but what price is a young life? What price is a permanent injury and how much is the unsafe reputation costing us?”

Mr Dwyer said that if the bridges were located south of Gympie, they’d already be upgraded.

“There’s a population north of the Burdekin that’s around the size of Tasmania and it entirely depends on a functioning and safe Burdekin bridge,” Mr Dwyer said.

“You’d think that amount of people would attract the attention of southern decision makers.”

A spokesman for the Department of Transport and Main Roads said safety was it’s top priority.

“Bridges across the Transport and Main Roads network are maintained and regularly assessed to ensure they comply with safety standards,” he said.

“All open bridges along the Bruce Highway are safe for road users. If a bridge were to be deemed unsafe, the bridge would be closed, and road users would be diverted.

W”e would not allow an unsafe bridge to remain open to traffic.”

Originally published as Calls for Bruce Highway bridges to be revamped following crash that shut down travel