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The Barron River Bridge at Kuranda will sporadically be blocked to all vehicles from next week, to allow for ‘essential’ repairs.
Traffic Management has been in place on the bridge since October last year, with one lane closed as investigations and repairs are carried out on the ageing structure.
Tropic Now revealed the extent of deterioration and repair inaction earlier this year, after obtaining documents under Right to Information legislation.
Transport and Main Roads (TMR) North Queensland Regional Director Sanjay Ram said additional traffic management will be in place from Monday 16 August for four weeks, while steel welds are repaired.
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"Because traffic vibration adversely impacts repair quality, stopping traffic intermittently in both directions for up to 15 minutes is required," said Sanjay Ram, TMR North Queensland Regional Director.
Transport and Main Roads will continue to evaluate the welding repair process with an aim to limit impacts to motorists, including potentially working at night.
Single lane conditions will remain in place until at least October.
“We would prefer we did not have to stop traffic over the bridge for short periods of time, but that is not an option based on the work we need to complete,” Mr Ram said.
"We thank the community and the motorists who drive through this area for their patience.
"TMR is continuing a $2.1 million planning study to identify a long-term solution to improve connectivity on the Kennedy Highway through the replacement or rehabilitation of the Barron River Bridge."
A separate report regarding alternative routes is scheduled for completion by the end of this month.
Federal Member for Leichhardt, Warren Entsch, last night told Parliament action is long overdue.
"I absolutely shudder when I think about what would have happened if the bridge had been closed permanently, given it is along a major freight route connecting the Tablelands, the Gulf of Carpentaria and Cape York with Cairns," he said.
"I’ve written on several occasions to the Queensland Transport and Main Roads minister, Mark Bailey, urging him to consider solutions for the Kuranda Range.
"In fact, I have asked him to include the Kuranda Range as a road of strategic importance given its vital role in connecting the Tablelands with Cairns.
"To date these approaches have fallen on deaf ears."
Transport and Main Roads maintains that the bridge is safe for vehicles up to 50.5 tonnes with the single lane closure in place.
Main points
- Traffic will be blocked from entering the Barron River Bridge at Kuranda for up to 15mins at a time
- There can be no vibrations from vehicles while essential welding repairs are carried out
- The work will be undertaken between 9am and 3pm from 16 August for a period of four weeks
