Lion Creek Bridge section of Rockhampton Ring Road project completed

Rockhampton’s Lion Creek Bridge has been completed as work on the mammoth Ring Road project continues.

The Rockhampton Lion Creek Bridge was officially declared opened Thursday, June 5 and is part of the larger Rocky Ring Road project.

It was a case of celebrations across the political aisle as the Lion Creek Bridge, part of the larger Rockhampton Ring Road project, was officially declared completed and ready for use.

The bridge is the first of 18 on the Ring Road project to be completed and replaces the old pre-existing timber bridge.

The new bridge is designed to withstand flooding better while also improving accessibility for the Pink Lily and Ridgelands communities during wet weather events.

At a press conference held on Thursday, May 5 next to the bridge, Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg said the State Government was dedicated to ensuring the full scope of the Ring Road project would be completed and on the current $1.9b budget.

The Rockhampton Ring Road project has a reputation for cost blowouts worth millions of dollars, with a further $200m of Federal funding allocated in March this year.

The Lion Creek Bridge was officially declared opened on Thursday, June 5 at a press conference. Present at the conference was the Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg, State Member for Rockhampton Donna Kirkland, State Member for Mirani Glen Kelly and Federal Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Senator for Queensland, Anthony Chisholm who are pictured looking at different road project plans.

The minister said that along with completing the Ring Project, the State Government wanted to ensure local businesses and workers benefit as much as possible from the infrastructure project.

“We know how much of a game changer projects like the Rocky Ring Road are for communities like Rockhampton and the broader Central Queensland region,” he said.

The completion of the new Lion Creek Bridge coincides with the reopening of Canoona Road, as work on the West Rockhampton local road connections to the Ring Road are finalised.

A 204m-long bridge over Limestone Creek in Parkhurst will also shortly be completed as part of the early works program.

Federal Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Queensland Senator, Anthony Chisholm was also present at the press conference along with Rockhampton MP Donna Kirkland and Mirani MP Glen Kelly, and congratulated the local workers who ensured the Lion Creek Bridge’s completion.

“We know the Rocky Ring Rd is going to be an excellent piece of infrastructure for Queensland and particular this region,” he said.

“This project is about more than just roads and bridges – it’s about creating a resilient transport network that better connects Central Queensland to the rest of the State.”

Capricornia MP Michelle Landry and Senator Matt Canavan also lauded the completion of the Lion Creek Bridge.

Senator Matt Canavan and Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry have celebrated the completion of the Lion Creek Bridge which was officially declared open on Thursday, June 5.

“It is fantastic to see progress well and truly underway on this incredible project for our region,” Ms Landry said.

Senator Canavan said the new Lion Creek crossing will be a vital link connecting the Ring Road to the western suburbs of Rockhampton.

“Once the Rockhampton Ring Road is built it’ll mean a much faster and cheaper flow of freight and goods all around our state,” he said.

“Importantly for us here in Rockhampton it'll make it a lot easier to get around.

“Central Queensland is a growing part of the world, and with the Olympics just around the corner, the Ring Road will be the artery connecting our region.”

Rockhampton Mayor Tony Williams said the Rockhampton Ring Road would change the region.

“Not only will it connect Gracemere with North Rockhampton, Wandal and the Coast and vice versa; but it will also unlock access to new industrial precincts in and around Gracemere and Stanwell and help drive future jobs and opportunity,” he said.

“The Ring Road is going to set our region up for the future and I’m really pleased to see us reach this milestone.”

It was all smiles as Rockhampton’s Lion Creek Bridge was officially declared opened on Thursday, June 5. The bridge is part of the Rocky Ring Road project and is considered by Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg, State Member for Rockhampton Donna Kirkland, State Member for Mirani Glen Kelly and Federal Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Senator for Queensland, Anthony Chisholm. to be a vital infrastructure project for the region.

With the early works program set for completion by the middle of this year, focus on the Rockhampton Ring Road will move to the main works program, which will include:

• 17.4 kilometres of new roadway including approximately 14.7 kilometres of Ring Road alignment starting from a new southern roundabout on the Capricorn Highway.

• A new 435-metre long third bridge over the Fitzroy River between Pink Lily and Kawana, including shared active transport facilities.

• Another 15 (for a total of 18) bridges along the main ring road alignment, including eight road overpasses and seven water crossings.

• Improved connectivity to key precincts including West Rockhampton, North Rockhampton, and the Capricorn Coast.

Crisafulli stops short of giving key Ring Road overpass the green light after budget blowout

Originally published as Lion Creek Bridge section of Rockhampton Ring Road project completed