Leichhardt Highway (Westwood - Taroom), Banana Creek, replace bridge

TMR is replacing the ageing timber Banana Creek Bridge on the Leichhardt Highway to increase safety, reliability, capacity and improve flood immunity.

Works are being undertaken to replace the existing bridge with a new concrete structure.

The ageing bridge is one of the few remaining timber bridges on the Leichhardt Highway.

This section of the highway connects the townships of Banana and Theodore, and provides access to local primary industries, including agriculture and surrounding mining operations.

This project is part of an ongoing program of work to replace timber bridges in the Fitzroy District. This supports future growth in the agricultural and freight industries by enabling increased connectivity across Central Queensland while ensuring a safer driving experience for all road users.

During the works, strategies are being put into place to minimise impacts to nearby residents and road users.

Benefits

  • Improves safety
  • Increases capacity
  • Improves network efficiency
  • Increases traffic flow
  • Improves flood immunity
  • Contributes to regional growth
  • Reduces maintenance
  • Contributes to economy

Key features

  • New concrete structure requiring less maintenance.
  • Bridge will be wider (increase from 7m 10.4m).
  • Bridge will be higher (increase from 3.4m to 3.6m).
  • Improves safety,  freight connectivity and access for higher mass limit (HML) vehicles.
  • Improves flood immunity (fewer and less frequent road closures).
  • Reduces closures and/or traffic restrictions.
     

Funding

The project is fully funded by the Queensland Government. Investment ID 845232

Total investment
$7.7 million
Queensland Government
$7.7 million

Current status

Detailed design started in May 2020. The tender process for construction closed in December 2020 and was awarded in March 2021. Construction began in May 2021 and is expected to be completed in March 2022, construction and weather conditions permitting. 
Project location map

Leichhardt Highway Banana Creek Bridge Replacement map