LNP announces plan to build new and improved Bribie Island bridge
A multi-million dollar plan has been hatched to build a new and improved bridge to popular southeast Queensland tourist destination Bribie Island in one of the state’s most marginal electorates.
QLD News
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A CRUCIAL link to a popular southeast Queensland destination could be replaced with a new and improved bridge under a multi-million plan from the LNP to revamp the crossing to Bribie Island.
The Courier-Mail can reveal an LNP government would spend $3 million on concept planning for a new Bribie Island Bridge as part of a $20 million package of works to upgrade Bribie Island Rd in the marginal seat of Pumicestone.
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The two lane bridge with a pedestrian pathway is the only road link between the island and the mainland, and was built more than five decades ago.
LNP leader Deb Frecklington said they wanted to find the right solution for a new bridge and to develop a plan to make it happen.
“An LNP government won’t wait for Bribie Island Bridge to have a capacity crisis,” she said.
“We’ll invest for growth and plan for the future so it can be upgraded ahead of schedule.”
The planning stage would consider all options, with the LNP promising to consult with locals.
New upgrades to Bribie Island Road would also begin within the first year of an LNP government, with the opposition saying that the project would create 60 construction jobs.
“The road is vitally important for the residents of Bribie Island because it is their gateway – that is their way in and out from the island,” Ms Frecklington said.
LNP candidate for Pumicestone, Fiona Gaske – who is defending the party’s wafer thin margin of less than one per cent – described Bribie Island Rd as “one of the most overlooked major transport routes” in the region.
She said within 100 days of an LNP government, they would begin community consultation on a strategic plan with “measurable time frames” for delivery.
“The LNP’s investment is about prioritising road infrastructure upgrades along Bribie Island Road that will begin with the Ningi stretch to improve both commuter and pedestrian safety,” Ms Gaske said.
The $20 million package of works would be funded from the LNP’s plan for a $1 billion southeast Queensland congestion program.
About $30 million worth of upgrades are already underway at Bribie Island Road – including $10.4 million from the State Government.