Tenders called for flood-proofing project on the Bruce

MAY 17, 2016: WORK is now at the tender stage for the $57 million Bruce Highway – Sandy Gully Bridge Upgrade north of Bowen, as we deliver a road able to withstand a once-in-50-year flood event.This particular section of the Bruce Highway is regularly closed during bad weather, with wide-ranging effects on surrounding residents and motorists passing through the region.Making this section of highway more flood resistant will have significant benefits for the safety of motorists and the wellbeing of communities at risk of being isolated by flood waters.It’s also a project which will provide 107 direct jobs over the life of the project, so we can look forward to these jobs coming on line in the very near future.The State Government has the responsibility of choosing the successful tender and I will now be writing to the Queensland Minister for Main Roads Mark Bailey calling on him to select a tender that involves local businesses and local workers.The project is critical to the region’s economy.The Bruce Highway at Sandy Gully is an important link to the Abbot Point Port and the region’s agricultural and tourism industries.For freight operators travelling to Abbot Point, this upgrade will be a boon for their business operations, minimising the risk of bad weather halting their operations.Having a reliable network for these industries means trade can continue and the local economy will be supported.The Sandy Gully upgrade will include a new 72-metre-long two-lane bridge and upgrades to 3.7 kilometres of highway between Merinda and Euri Creek. Widening and rehabilitation works will also occur at three intersections on this stretch of the Bruce Highway.Construction is scheduled to begin in mid-2016 and is expected to be completed in late 2017, weather permitting.  The Liberal National Government has committed up to $46 million to the jointly funded projects.