Gold Coast floods: $15m upgraded John Muntz Bridge destroyed
THE $15m upgrade of John Muntz Bridge has failed its first test — destroyed by raging floodwaters overnight, cutting a vital connection to the hinterland.
Gold Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Gold Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A MAJOR new connection bridge designed to link Mount Tamborine and the Gold Coast has been closed after raging floodwaters overnight tore away a section of it.
The John Muntz Bridge was built by Main Roads at a cost of $15 million after floods ripped apart the causeway across the Coomera River in 2010 and 2012.
The Gold Coast Bulletin last night warned that rising waters were lapping the bridge as motorists continued to navigate across it.
Area councillor William Owen-Jones estimates a span of between six to ten metres was washed away from the bridge overnight.
“The bridge is closed. It has a gap in one section. This bridge takes about 14,000 to 15,000 cars each day,” Councillor Owen-Jones told the Gold Coast Bulletin.
“We will need to work with State Government to fund a solution. There are alternate routes (to Mount Tamborine).
“Residents need to use Reserve Road. It will add about 10 to 15 minutes to their trips.”
Unconfirmed reports suggest the river rose at least half a metre above the bridge overnight.
Three people are believed to have been lucky to escape after they attempted to cross the bridge in their vehicle only to turn back.
Repairs of the collapsed bridge could start as early as today according to Coomera Road Policing Unit senior sergeant Chris Smith.
“Indications are that heavy vehicle equipment will be brought in today to commence operations to repair the causeway,” he said.
“It appears that during the extreme weather events that the water flow has affected the stability of the bridge.”
He said there was no indication of how long repairs could take or how many roads would be closed in the process.
Police and council workers are currently on scene assessing damage to the causeway.
Thousands of residents from Upper Coomera, Willow Vale, Mount Tamborine and Wongawallan could be affected by the break away and subsequent repair works.
Meanwhile the private road leading to the newly opened wake park in Oxenford is inaccessible as large sections of it washed away with the currents from the Coomera River.
Greg Skipper who has lived in the area for over 30 years said the road was surfaced only few weeks ago.
“It opened (the road) a few weeks ago and it cost businesses in the area millions to make it happen,” he said.
“Now it’s all gone and some businesses will be affected for a least a few months.”
Ice addict’s dad pleads: ‘Lock up my daughter or people will die’
An angry and frustrated Gold Coast father has slammed Queensland’s “revolving door” justice system.
Man left with life-threatening injuries in Gold Coast stabbing
A father of five has learned his fate for his role in a violent confrontation on a suburban street that left one man with “imminently life-threatening” injuries.