John Muntz Bridge reopens three months after washing away during downpour

REJOICE! A key connection between the coastal strip and the hinterland has reopened with work finally finishing on the John Muntz Bridge which was washed away during the March downpour.

THE John Muntz Bridge has reopened this afternoon three months after the bridge was washed away during the March downpour.

Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey announced this morning both lanes of the bridge would soon be open.

Just after midday he announced via Twitter the causeway was reopened.

John Muntz Causeway now open! @RowanHolzberger @meaghan_scanlon @MelissaMcMXX @MurrayWatt @GCBulletin @abcgoldcoast pic.twitter.com/VaKTWXyJjS

— Mark Bailey MP (@MarkBaileyMP) June 30, 2017

Rain last night has delayed the works.

“Reopening the causeway has been a priority since it washed away during flooding rain in late March and April,” Mr Bailey said.

John Muntz bridge was washed away in the floods and is now open again. Picture: John Gass

The $15m upgraded John Muntz Bridge was destroyed by a deluge in March. Photo Genevieve Faulkner

“Thanks to the hard work of crews on site, the connection has been restored and the causeway is likely to open to two lanes of traffic later today.”

Minister for Main Roads Mark Bailey inspects John Muntz Bridge repairs earlier this month. Photo Steve Holland

Mr Bailey said construction would continue on-site until August with closures of one lane on occasion during the day.

Both lanes will remain open at night.

The closure of the bridge had left Mount Tamborine businesses struggling with many tourists not sure about how to get up the mountain without the bridge.

Altus Traffic Controller Jamie McSkimming directing traffic at the John Muntz Bridge. Picture Mike Batterham

The $15 million bridge was designed to be floodproof.

Oxenford councillor William Owen-Jones welcomed the bridge’s reopening.

“After three months of serious disruption to the local residents and businesses it will be good to see the link to the main road up to Mt Tamborine reopened,” he wrote on Facebook.