Barren Creek Bridge one of six ageing bridges in Mackay region given full makeover

A 90 year old bridge has been given a full makeover forming the final piece to Mackay council’s regional crossings renewal project. Take a look at the new builds.

The Barren Street Bridge fixed with a glue laminated deck

The 90-year-old Barren Creek Bridge is the final domino to fall in council’s to replacing six ageing timber bridge crossings in the Mackay Region.

In the past 12 months, the Mackay Regional Council has replaced the Palm Tree Creek Bridge in Pinnacle, Ash’s Bridge in Devereux Creek, Greens Bridge in Mt Charlton, the Old Hampton Road Bridge in Marian and the One Mile Creek Road Bridge in Mount Pelion.

The Palm Tree Bridge before construction. Photo: Mackay Regional Council

Original parts of the timber foundations were re-used as part of the Barren Creek Bridge restoration, fixed with concrete slabs and a custom made glue laminated deck which carries up to 44 tonnes.

The Palm Tree Creek completed. Photo: Mackay Regional Council

Mayor Greg Williamson acknowledged delays in the project after one of the custom built decks was held in customs in November last year.

“We realise that road closures are inconvenient, and a lot of residents were impacted by lengthy detours, but people were tremendous, and we really appreciate their patience,” he said.

Mr Williamson said the project team, headed by Timber Restoration Services, used the original 1935 construction drawings to build the Barren Creek and Greens Bridge.

Barren Creek Bridge original plans, 1935

The bridges were a part of a renewal program to fix damaged crossings in regional areas though one cane town’s calls for their own bridge upgrades has been turned down.

Last month’s monsoonal rains across Mackay resurfaced a longstanding dispute as flooded roads cut Kinchant Dam residents’ only exits leaving them completely isolated.

Some locals have spent 14 years petitioning the council to increase the bridge’s culverts from three to seven to ensure more water could pass under the bridge without flooding the road.

Mr Williamson said “extensive investigations and studies” showed that the upgrade was “just not feasible economically at this location”.

Originally published as Barren Creek Bridge one of six ageing bridges in Mackay region given full makeover