New date set for end to marathon Barron River bridge investigation

Traffic using the beleaguered bridge across the Barron River at Kuranda will yet again be reduced to a one-lane snail trail to enable road crews to carry out more testing.

The Barron River bridge will operate as a one lane road until Thursday. Picture: Brian Cassey

Traffic using the beleaguered bridge across the Barron River at Kuranda will yet again be reduced to a one-lane snail trail to enable road crews to carry out more testing.

For close to three years structural question marks have hung over the 60-year-old bridge.

Rolling partial closures have been in place since inspections identified fatigue cracks in some steel elements of the bridge in October 2020.

The Kennedy Highway bridge over the Barron River, near the town of Kuranda has been limited to a single lane of traffic until March 2. Picture: Brendan Radke

A study to determine if the bridge was safe was originally expected to be completed in late 2022 but a completion date was later revised and was due to be complete early this year.

On February 20 Transport and Main Roads advised the bridge would operate as a single lane road until March 2.

Fatigue cracks in some steel elements of the Barron River bridge on the Kennedy Highway near Kuranda will be investigated. Picture: Stewart McLean

“The works are part of an ongoing testing and maintenance program to ensure the bridge remains safe,” a TMR spokesman said.

“We thank motorists for their patience while we carry out these important works. We are undertaking a planning study to investigate long-term solutions for the bridge.”

The planning phase of the investigation is expected to be complete in March, according to TMR.

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Originally published as New date set for end to marathon Barron River bridge investigation