The Queensland Government is calling for construction tenders for the $34.6 million Cape River Bridge Upgrade, which will improve road safety and accessibility between Emerald and Charters Towers.
The project involves the delivery of a new, higher and wider bridge and improved approached on a 2-kilometre section of the Gregory Developmental Road.
“We have made excellent progress on the planning and design of this vital flood immunity project,” said Main Roads and Road Safety Minister Mark Bailey in a statement.
“The tender for the supply of bridge piles was awarded to Rockhampton-based company Stresscrete earlier this month and we expect to award the construction contract early next year.”
The project will help reduce road closures due to flooding, improving year-round freight access to inland communities and the Townsville Port.
In addition to the upgrade, the Queensland Government will spend more than $42 million to widen and strengthen 34 kilometres of single lane and narrow two-lane sections north of Charters Towers.
Construction of the Cape River Bridge Upgrade is expected to start in April, after the wet season, and be completed by mid-2018, weather and construction conditions permitting.