Need for action on Bowen Road Bridge

SEPTEMBER 1, 2017: I RAISED the issue of load limits on Townsville’s troubled Bowen Road Bridge with the Federal Infrastructure Minister Darren Chester during his visit to Townsville today. I am concerned to hear that the load limit on the Bowen Road Bridge (over the Ross River near the Murray Sports area) may soon be restricted from 26 tonnes to 24 tonnes.The traffic issues around the Bowen Road Bridge near the Murray Sports area are well known in this community and I have regularly lobbied for action here.A reduction in the load limit on the bridge is likely to further exacerbate problems in what is also a bottleneck area during peak traffic hours with a slow crawl and traffic jams morning and afternoon.Frankly there should be four lanes on this river crossing but that is a matter for the State Government.I have raised the load limit issue directly with Minister for Infrastructure Minister Darren Chester today as I hope that funding can be forthcoming under the Bridges Renewal Program.Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Darren Chester said it was great to inspect the bridge today with George and get an update on the load limits."The federal government has funded more than 200 bridges across Australia under rounds one and two," he said."Round 3 of the Bridges Renewal Programme is due to be released soon and the Bowen Road Bridge will be considered as part of this funding round."Mr Christensen and Minister Chester were joined at the Bowen Road Bridge inspection by Senator Ian Macdonald and LNP candidate for Mundingburra Matt Delargan.