William Scott
The Federal Government’s partnership with Toowoomba Regional Council has come to fruition with the new Melrose Road bridge now complete and open to traffic.
Officially opened by Federal Assistant Minister for Regional Development, Anthony Chisholm, and Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor, Geoff McDonald, the new bridge will improve the safety of this key rural route.
The $4.3 million project was made possible through $2.5 million from the Federal Government’s Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program, and $1.8 million from Toowoomba Regional Council.
Works involved the construction of a new two-lane concrete bridge to replace the ageing timber bridge on Melrose Road in Brookstead.
The upgrades will improve access for local agriculture businesses operating in the region and also enhance the route’s resilience to natural disasters.
The new bridge will also support travel for specialised farming equipment, emergency response vehicles and public transport, including school buses.
Federal Minister for Regional Development and Local Government, Kristy McBain, said that more people are moving to regional areas, which is putting more pressure on the roads they use every day.
“This is why we’re partnering with local councils to help ensure their local road networks are safe and fit-for-purpose,” Ms McBain said.
“Melrose Bridge provides essential access across the Condamine River to schools, community facilities, and agri business, which is why we’ve upgraded the old structure and invested in this road’s future.”
Federal Assistant Minister for Regional Development, Anthony Chisholm, said that this new bridge will improve safety, traffic efficiency and allow local farmers to transport greater proportions of grain and other produce from their farms to suppliers.
“Infrastructure projects, such as this one, deliver an immediate economic boost to regional and rural areas by reducing the potential for any of the risks associated with flood-related road closures,” Mr Chisholm said.
“Thank you to the community for their patience and co-operation during the construction of this project as it was a complex undertaking, with Melrose Road closed for the duration of construction.”
Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor, Geoff McDonald, said that the aim of the project was to improve productivity, safety and community access but it was also recognition of the road as an important connection for primary producers.
“The transport of agricultural produce and farming machinery absolutely depends on a safe and secure crossing over the Condamine River,” Mr McDonald said.
“The upgraded Melrose Road bridge will provide a greater level of certainty for the Brookstead area farmers and associated industries.
“Having the new bridge constructed to current engineering standards means it will have a much longer design life.”
