Townsville weather: Ollera Creek bridge open to emergency vehicles and general public

A vital bridge connecting flood ravaged communities has officially been opened to the public, after previously only being available for freight, supply and emergency vehicles.

On Saturday the Queensland premier David Crisafulli announced they would be moving the ADF combat bridge from the Ollera creek site on Saturday night and get to work on installing a temporary bridge over the next few days.

The Ollera Creek bridge is open to all traffic.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads advised on Tuesday afternoon that the bridge has been opened to the public.

TMR said teams have been working around the clock in the wet weather over the last few days to ensure the bridge could be opened as quickly as possible.

The bridge opened to emergency, freight and supply vehicles at 8pm Monday night.

Those using the bridge are advised to drive carefully and obey all signs and directions.

The road crossing at Seymour River is still flooded and will remain closed until at least Thursday evening.

Motorists are urged to visit QLDTraffic for all traffic alerts, road closures and condition updates for major roads in Queensland. Motorists can also download the QLDTraffic app or call 13 19 40.

EARLIER:

The build of a temporary bridge connecting Ingham and Townsville has been completed on time, with access to the general public set to open on Tuesday afternoon.

An update from the Department of Transport and Main Roads said the interim bridge will open at 8pm on Monday night for vital freight, supply and emergency vehicles to travel north into Cairns.

While additional construction may be required on the bridge in the near future, TMR said the opening of it had been fast tracked to move freight north ahead of possible flooding over the coming days.

Construction of a temporary bridge is underway at Ollera Creek, midway between Townsville and Ingham. Picture: TMR

Forecasted wet weather may cause the Seymour river, between Cardwell and Ingham, to flood which is why essential vehicles will be prioritised from 8pm Monday night.

However, Tuesday afternoon the Ollera Creek bridge will officially open to the general public.

Queensland Police will co-ordinate movements with traffic control and speed limits still in place in the area.

Member for Mundingburra, Janelle Poole talking to soldiers from 3CER at the site of Ollera Creek crossing which was damaged by flood waters. 8/02/25

On Saturday, The Queensland Premier David Crisafulli outlined their government’s long-term plan for the Ollera Creek crossing, highlighting the importance of making it “long term, longer, stronger, higher, better”.

“You’ve got hundreds of thousands of people who live and die by this road, and it’s not up to standard,” he said.

“We will be going forward to the Commonwealth with a number of betterment proposals in some of those key low-lying parts of the Bruce.

“No one is suggesting you’re going to floodproof the Bruce Highway but you can remove those pinch points.

“You can remove the vulnerable places like Ollera Creek and that will make a more resilient North Queensland.”

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli at the site of Ollera Creek which was damaged by flood waters at the start of February 2025.

“They are going nowhere, they are here to help these communities lift themselves up.”

Chief Executive Officer of the Queensland Reconstruction Authority Jake Ellwood said their priorities now are safety, resupply and community access.

“Our focus now is these things called emergent works or emergency works to make sure that access is maintained because when we have access, it means that we can supply and support communities,” he said.

“The next hard bit is the clean-up.

“We understand the impacts, and those impacts are not just physical, they’re economic, and they’re also mental.

“We see quite often people with mental health issues in the wake of these terrible disasters, and we will make sure that there is support that is to be provided.

“We’re going to work very closely with the Commonwealth Government to make sure

that they understand the needs of the communities, and we will faithfully

represent everything that we see and everything that we understand so that we

can get you the support that you require.” 

Originally published as Townsville weather: Ollera Creek bridge open to emergency vehicles and general public