‘Total white elephant’: Plagued $40m crossing remains closed
TMR has addressed concerns relating to the structural integrity of a recently completed $40m Cassowary Coast fauna crossing which was completed in March but remains fenced off to wildlife.
Cairns
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The state road authority says there is no evidence of cracking on the controversial $40m cassowary crossing despite water seepage.
In July last year it was revealed the Smiths Gap crossing between El Arish and Feluga would cost $30.7m after $9.8m was initially earmarked for the project in 2019.
But at the completion of the overpass structure and overtaking lane project in March the total cost of the beleaguered conservation project suddenly jumped to $40.7m.
Transport and Main Roads said the additional $10m was approved by the federal movement after inflation caused cost escalations and industry-wide resource challenges.
Diggers Creek Motel and Van Park owner Mark Jackson said the spend on the crossing was disproportionate to the benefit and the money would have been better spent elsewhere.
“It’s wasted money, there’s people with nowhere to live and they are building an arch for cassowaries, it’s a total white elephant,” the at El Arish business owner said.
During construction Mr Jackson said the van park housed a senior worker on the project who revealed a lack of communication between TMR and Queensland Rail required due to nearby tracks of the North Coast Line.
“He was here for over 12 months and he was very nice,” Mr Jackson said.
“And he told me it was a joke because the railway and TMR were not talking to each other and money was going back and forward on consultants.
“There are a whole lot of people who have made a lot of money out of this.”
A steep incline at the western approach to the crossing previously gave rise to concerns that cassowaries would be unable to make their way up the hill to access the overpass.
Though there’s a near vertical section that the flightless birds would be unable to negotiate a small section leading onto the crossing with a less aggressive grade.
Planting of the fauna crossing cassowary-friendly plant species to entice the birds over the crossing appears to have begun but could have been postponed due to ongoing wet weather.
A locked fence prevents any access to the bridge.
Planting is expected to continue into June in consultation with TMR’s Cassowary Recovery Team.
A TMR spokeswoman addressed speculation the structure had been compromised by stating there was “no evidence of cracking in the overpass components”.
“TMR is aware of water seepage and will continue to monitor the structure as usual,” she said.
TMR will monitor tree growth at the fauna crossing through fixed cameras at the site which can also track cassowary and other wildlife movement across the bridge when fences limiting access come down.
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Originally published as ‘Total white elephant’: Plagued $40m crossing remains closed
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