When troubled Barron River bridge will fully reopen to traffic at Kuranda

A critical report into the life expectancy of a crumbling Far North bridge will determine whether it fully reopens to traffic before being demolished, the state’s Transport Minister says.

A critical report into the life expectancy of a crumbling Far North bridge will determine whether it fully reopens to traffic before being demolished, the state’s Transport Minister says.

The troubled Barron River bridge, which connects dozens of communities to Cairns, providing businesses with access to the coastline and international export markets through the city’s airport, has been down to one lane intermittently since 2020.

The state government committed to building a new $450m bridge by 2031 on Thursday, but questions remain as to the current crossing’s durability.

Micro stress fractures found in the bridge’s steel shortly after its construction in the 1960s meant that its lifespan was always limited, Transport Minister Bart Mellish said.

Barron River MP Craig Crawford, Cairns MP Michael Healy, Queensland Premier Steven Miles, Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick and Transport Minister Bart Mellish make the announcement of a $450m election pledge to build a new bridge on the banks of the Barron River at Kuranda. Picture: Brendan Radke

But the findings of a Main Roads report due later this month will reveal further information on how much strain the existing structure can withstand before it is torn down.

“What that will tell us is if the bridge is safe to go back to two lanes,” Mr Mellish said.

“So, at the moment it’s down to one lane and the audit will tell us about some of the issues that the bridge has that have been going on since its construction.

“The factors that went into this bridge not being as reliable as it should be arise from 1963.

“They found some brittle steel … that has resulted in ongoing maintenance work that has occurred over the last 60 years.”

Deputy Opposition Leader Jarrod Bleijie accused Labor of failing to plan for the bridge’s eventual demise until the LNP raised the issue in its budget reply last month.

But Member for Barron River Craig Crawford rejected those claims, arguing funds included in the state budget had allowed for further investment in the project.

“I met with the Premier in February,” Mr Crawford said.

The Queensland Government has announced $450 million to fund a new bridge for the Kennedy Highway over the Barron River near the Tablelands town of Kuranda. The new Barron River bridge is due to be completed in 2031. Picture: Brendan Radke

“I gave them the brief update that said, ‘This bridge is not going to last the test of time’ and that we need to start taking some action.

“There was $15m in the budget for detailed design and planning which is the next phase for a large project.”

While businesses and residents are eager to see more immediate transport solutions, Mr Crawford said major projects like the new bridge had to be done properly.

“A large scale project like this takes a number of years in the construction phase alone,” he said.

“The design phase … that’s probably a good year of work. The contractor who will be working here is probably going to be on the ground for somewhere between two-to-three years.

“That’s dependent, of course on what the wet season looks like.

Mr Mellish said he was open to compensating residents and businesses adversely affected by the Barron River bridge.

Queensland Transport Minister Bart Mellish says the new bridge will be built and the old bridge demolished by 2031. Picture: Brendan Radke

“Of course, we’ll be very happy to have those discussions in the future,” he said.

Construction on the bridge is slated to start after the October state election.

“This bridge was supposed to last 100 years,” Mr Crawford said.

“It’s a fault that occurred way back in the way that they designed and constructed it.

“There’s a problem with the steel top of the bridge and we’re doing something about it.”

The LNP on Thursday morning reiterated its position in a statement that said it would deliver a “solution” for the Barron River bridge “and we’ll do it before Labor”.

That was expanded on by Opposition spokesman for Attorney-General Tim Nicholls in Cairns later in the day, who said their candidates for Cook and Barron River, David Kempton and Bree James, had been fighting for a fix for the critical crossing.

“The LNP will build the bridge and we will build it faster than the Labor Party,” Mr Nicholls said.

“But we want to see the business case. I think people would expect us sensibly to see the business case, to see the technical report.

“This (election pledge) just smacks of desperation by Steven Miles.”

Originally published as When troubled Barron River bridge will fully reopen to traffic at Kuranda