Normanby Bridge damage should make way for intersection reconstruction
20th August, 2009
Federal Member for Wide Bay, Warren Truss has called for the total reconstruction of the Normanby Bridge intersection in Gympie, following damage to the overpass that was sustained when it was hit by a 14-tonne steel tank earlier this month.“The State and Federal Governments should urgently consider rebuilding the whole intersection, given the substantial damage to the overpass and risk of future accidents due to the low clearance of the bridge,” Mr Truss said.
Reports indicate that the overpass suffered significant structural damage from the impact and repairs will take some time and come at considerable expense.
“The time and money that it will take to repair the overpass would be better spent on a total reconstruction of the intersection, so that it can accommodate the demand of traffic on the two busy roads,” Mr Truss said.
“To repair the overpass in its existing form risks more accidents and more expensive repairs that could be avoided with a new, safer intersection that can cope with the growing traffic volumes.”
Mr Truss said the intersection and high vehicle by-pass arrangements are not safe and create a number of places where vehicles come in conflict.
“When the previous Coalition Government announced funding five years ago for the upgrade of the Highway through Gympie it was my intention that this intersection was to be included in the project,” Mr Truss said.
“The advice provided at the time about the cost of the upgrade proved to be wrong. Even though funding for the work was doubled, the scope of the work had to be reduced and the Normanby Bridge intersection was not included.
“Now that unscheduled and expensive repairs have to be made it is time to consider a permanent fix.”
