What you said about Qld Premier Steven Miles’ plans for a second Bribie Island bridge

It’s the bridge battle that could lead to the road to ruin – is a second Bribie Island bridge a masterstroke or mess? HAVE YOUR SAY

It’s the bridge battle that could lead to the road to ruin.

The state government has vowed to spend $700m duplicating a bridge its own transport department says is unnecessary for the “foreseeable future”.

Premier Steven Miles’ inaugural infrastructure election commitment, in the critical swing seat of Pumicestone, has also been made without a finalised business case.

Labor, if re-elected in October, has vowed to spend $700m duplicating the Bribie Island Bridge to make it two lanes each way. This is the equivalent of spending nearly $34,000 on each of the island’s 20,612 residents.

Analysis of the latest Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program also shows the bridge duplication will be the most expensive transport project funded unilaterally by the state government since Cross River Rail.

Concept images of a second Bribie Island bridge. Picture: Facebook/Steven Miles

Treasurer Cameron Dick confirmed the state government would borrow the $700m needed – adding to the estimated borrowings bill set to hit $111.3bn by 2027-28 as per the budget released three weeks ago.

“It’s my commitment to Queenslanders that, if re-elected, I will build a new bridge for Bribie Island,” Mr Miles said.

Deputy Opposition Leader Jarrod Bleijie slammed the state’s staunch refusal to support the LNP’s plan to build a new bridge at the 2020 election and questioned the timing of the announcement.

News of the plan sparked furious debate among readers, with 88 per cent voting against the proposal in an online poll.

Some claimed the money should be spent elsewhere; others insisted it was long overdue.

While many claimed it was another mess looming.

See what you had to say below and join the conversation >>>

WHAT YOU SAID

Hang on a second!

Henry

It maybe cheaper to have a helicopter with pilot on standby stationed on the beach in case of an accident . It may be quicker and cheaper to a hospital in the long term instead of a new bridge .

paul

How about you fix the Bruce hwy up north and all the roads in the mining regions that foot the bills you clown

Phil McCoffee

and the Bruce Highway …?

Ian

Isn’t it about time the country residents received better treatment. Only been calling for a dual lane highway to cairns for 40 years I can tell all. Old joh started it to Nambour. The labor took over and I think Campbell news 3vyear stint must have stopped it lol. Good old labor.

Katrina

Just lower the speed limits, so drivers stop crashing. And impose big fines for blocking the existing bridge.

Roger

I had a dream last night! Could be cheaper to have helicopter stationed on Bribie Island BUT then again Miles will discount this as not his idea!

Alf

And here in lies the issue, governments are driving up inflation through ridiculous spending. This one is a project of waste and non necessity.

Deputy Opposition Leader Jarrod Bleijie Leader. Picture: John Gass

About time

David

Petty number crunching. This “population” figure takes no account of over night holiday makers or day trippers. Having lived on Bribie Is, I can say with certainty that the bridge fails to cope with traffic demands on many occasions. It is an old, narrow structure and the only access.

Dave

unnecessary? Bribie has needed a second bridge for the last 30 years. His department has no idea what they are talking about

Burned out …

This bridge will be built by CFMEU members on minimum wage. Built on time and on budget. TMR projects are always like that. Why do we need a business case?

Not a chance

Neil

Just remember that you were never voted in as Premier Mr Miles, and never will be!

Owen

it will never happen

Gary

Can’t afford to build the whole railway in the fastest growing region in the state but can afford to build a bridge. No let’s see now. Which other marginal labor held seat needs a new bridge.

Realistic

Crazy stuff!

Micheal

Giggles you have done it again,

Tried to make a big announcement to buy votes but all it has done is make you look like a bigger fool.

What a mess

wayne

BRIBE ie Island bridge is a selfish pathetic vote grab - Labour wasting more tax payers money while Bruce hwy is a joke

Steve

Question is will Miles go to contract with this to burden the new government with another billion True to form the 700k will get to at least a billion when you add the CFMEU “tax”

We cant get an ambulance to unload its patients some with life threatening issues but he will spend a billion on a bridge

Oh no not again

If vou are getting any work done you get three quotes and go from there but the government puts out how much money they will spend and low and behold that’s what it costs before the inevitable blowouts. Time to have a serious look at all infrastructure costs to ensure value for money.

carol

A very high proportion of bribie residents are restricted to drive on the island, hence the cost per driver is off the planet. The bridge is a waste of money

Tim

1 hour ago

$700 million now. More like a $1 billion bridge once the CFMEU get involved.

Rodney

Fairy tales used to begin with “Once upon a time” now they begin “If elected, I promise”.

Originally published as What you said about Qld Premier Steven Miles’ plans for a second Bribie Island bridge