New bridge across the Mary River to connect Southside and Gympie

A new bridge across the Mary River and the Bruce Hwy is one step closer with design work underway. Read the details here, and how you can have your say:

The Department of Transport and Main Roads has commenced design activities for active transport bridge structures and pathways to connect the Southside at Power Road, across the Mary River and Bruce Highway to Hughes Terrace.

It comes as more Gympie region residents than ever before are lacing up their runners or pumping the pedals and choosing to get active.

To encourage this, the State Government is trying to make travel by bike or on foot safer and easier across the state.

The TMR has now called on residents of the Gympie region to have their say on what this potential new cycling/footbridge near Normanby Bridge would look like and be placed.

An interactive map and survey on the TMR website allows members of the public to have their say.

“Hearing the experiences of bike riders and pedestrians is important to help TMR understand local issues and to inform the development of an appropriate design,” the TMR said.

CLICK HERE TO HAVE YOUR SAY

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the 2021 National Walking and Cycling Participation Survey showed a dramatic increase in walking and cycling.

“We all know I am a big advocate for active transport, so I’m pleased to see the results show that there are a lot of Queenslanders right there beside me,” Mr Bailey said.

“These encouraging results reflect the State Government‘s strong commitment to active transport under the Queensland Cycling and Walking strategies.

“Since 2015, we‘ve invested more than $244 million in bike-riding infrastructure, planning and programs, and into walking initiatives across the state.

“This year we also awarded more than $141,000 to 15 community groups across the state for projects to encourage more bike riding through the first round of the Bike Riding Encouragement Community Grants Program.”

Mr Bailey said further grants would be awarded through the Cycle Network Local Government Grants program.

KIDD BRIDGE: Flood waters submerge the Kidd Bridge regularly in Gympie. Normanby rarely goes under, but when it does the Southside is cut off from Gympie.

“These grants support local government bike-infrastructure projects and help deliver active transport options where they are needed,” he said.

“Since 2015, we have awarded close to $114 million for local government bike-infrastructure projects as a part of the program.

“And this year, we’re opening up a grant for walking network planning too.

“We are inviting local governments to apply for walking grants to help them prepare Walking Network Plans and Priority Works Programs to guide improvements around everyday destinations like schools, public transport, shops and parks.“

Mr Bailey said applications for the grant programs would open today (25 October 2021).

“Local governments with an endorsed principal cycle network plan could apply for the bike infrastructure grants,” he said.

“And, the new walking grants are open to all Queensland councils.”

Repair works on the Normanby Bridge overpass in Gympie. Pictures: Josh Preston

Mr Bailey said new Priority Route Maps had also been released this week to assist state and local governments.

“These maps identify priority routes for bike riding infrastructure projects throughout the state,” he said.

“More locations than ever are eligible to apply for funding, including councils at Burke, Carpentaria, Cloncurry, Doomadgee, Flinders, McKinlay, Mornington and Richmond now covered in the North West Network Maps.

“We‘ve seen more people taking up active transport during COVID-19 and we want to continue improving infrastructure to keep this momentum going as we continue to recover.”

Councils are awarded funding on a 50:50 basis and provide a solid basis for state and local governments to work together.

Applications close on 17 December, with projects expected to start from July 2022.