‘Needs to take priority’: $450m urgently needed for bridge fix

Motorists could be facing single-lane operation of the ageing Barron River Bridge for another six years – the time it would take to construct a new crossing.

No end date to one lane operation of the Kuranda bridge has been set by TMR/ Picture: Brian Cassey

Motorists could be facing single-lane operation of the ageing Barron River Bridge for another six years – the time it would take to construct a new crossing at an estimated cost of nearly half a billion dollars.

The rough cost of the new bridge, released ahead of the state budget, comes as a Far North advocacy group warns that restricting or even banning truck usage on the fatigued structure would have a catastrophic impact on the region’s economy and council transport cost.

Now, for the first time, the Department of Transport and Main Roads has released planning information around construction timelines in a glimpse into what a $8.98m long-term planning study could recommend when released later this year.

A replacement bridge has been costed at $450m, according to Barron River MP Craig Crawford, but TMR has continued to baulk at actually announcing a new bridge will be built.

The ageing bridge across the Barron River could be replaced under a new TMR plan.

Last month Transport and Main Roads stated “an issue” had been discovered with Macalloy post-tensioning bars on the bridge that were fitted to add extra strength after the bridge opened to traffic in 1963.

It was the latest blow to confidence in the beleaguered bridge that was built using “brittle steel” 61 years ago and which many users don’t trust to be safe, according to a recent TMR survey.

Far North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils interim executive officer Anthony Archie said if trucks were banned from the bridge, rerouting via the Palmerston Highway would add a huge cost to primary producer transport bills and Cairns Regional Council which each year sends thousands of garbage trucks up the hill to a landfill at the Springmount dump.

“It would have a large effect on the region and I would hate to consider the consequences,” he said.

“Due to the risk, this needs to take priority, TMR are going as fast as they can but we would all love the answer tomorrow.”

A historic image of the Barron River bridge at Kuranda in the early 1960s before the crossing officially opened in 1963. Picture: Supplied

Sections of the range road remain under single lane operation following December 2023 landslides and traffic limits on the bridge during peak traffic periods now add more time to the journey between Kuranda and Smithfield.

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator has stated TMR has been made aware of impacted heavy vehicle permit holders accessing the bridge following indefinite lane restrictions introduced on 31 May.

“We will continue to work with TMR to ensure impacted permit holders are aware of the restrictions and facilitate alternate routes where possible,” a spokesman said.

Ahead of the state budget next week, Transport and Main Roads Minister Bart Mellish was asked if any cash would be allocated toward the new bridge build, but he would not say if funding would be allocated.

An artist's impression of the new bridge solution for the crossing of Barron River at Kuranda. Picture: TMR

“I share the local members’ concerns over the safety of the bridge – I can assure the community TMR is working on a solution,” he said.

“I have asked the department to fast-track the completion of the business case which will identify a long-term solution for the bridge.”

Later this year once the planning phase is complete a TMR spokesman said a construction timeline would be established to gain a clear idea of how much a “long-term solution” could cost.

“The construction timeline will be influenced by factors including the complexity of the design, availability of resources, permitting processes, and potential unforeseen challenges that may arise during construction,” a spokesman said.

“The next phases of the process include detailed design and construction.”

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Originally published as ‘Needs to take priority’: $450m urgently needed for bridge fix