Toowoomba Regional Council wins top engineering award for $1.1m rural bridge near Crows Nest

The Toowoomba Regional Council has been recognised for engineering excellence at the Queensland branch of the 2020 Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia (IPWEAQ).

The council received a 2020 Excellence Award in the projects valued $1-2 million category for the Emu Creek Hall Rd Bridge, and a highly commended in the category of $5-10 million project for the first two stages of the Empire Theatre refurbishment.

TRC infrastructure chair Cr Carol Taylor said the awards program recognised the work that engineering professionals provided for the good of their communities.

“Being judged by our peers and winning these awards is yet another significant milestone for the council in 2020,” she said.

Cr Taylor said we are so proud of our engineers and their professional excellence.

“We are fortunate to have such great people who help deliver infrastructure to every corner of our region,” she said.

“Our region is the stronger for the quality workmanship of our staff on projects such as the Emu Creek Hall Road Bridge project

“Without the dedication and hard work of these council staff, the delivery of this project would not have been as efficient, or to the high standard.

“The $1.1 million Emu Creek Hall Road Bridge upgrade project has improved safety, provided better access for heavy vehicles and a more flood resilient structure.”

The council constructed the new bridge to replace the original aged timber bridge to maintain connectivity between rural communities north of Crows Nest.

“The bridge, which officially reopened in December 2019, provides an essential link between the New England Highway and Pierce’s Creek Rd,” Cr Taylor said.

“Before construction, Emu Creek Hall Rd bridge was a three-span timber and concrete composite bridge, narrow and in poor structural condition.

“IPWEAQ recognised the project for its innovation with the council developing in-house capacity for the delivery of the project and developing the fit-for-purpose alternative design for the low traffic volume, and lower speed environment.”