Community & Business
5 April, 2023
Bridge opens
THE long-awaited upgrade to Duncan Brown Bridge on Mary Street in Malanda is finally complete and open to vehicles and pedestrians.
But the new $3.5 million bridge will have to be closed again for about four weeks later this month as Tablelands Regional Council carries out more work on Mary Street and Pound Road.
Cr Dave Bilney said the new bridge now had two lanes, with separate pedestrian access, with the load limit increased to 44 tonnes, which means trucks and emergency services vehicles would now be able to cross it.
“This was a major project for the town and local contractor, and the finished product is a vast improvement on the previous bridge,” he said.
“The bridge also has an expected life span of at least 100 years.
“We’d hoped to have the bridge finished and open by Christmas last year, but the weather and availability of resources and contractors caused a few issues.
“We can’t thank ECHO Empowering Services enough for transporting members of our community, including school students, who couldn’t manage the detour.
“And the Malanda and greater community have been super patient during the project.”
Cr Bilney acknowledged the closure of the bridge had impacted on travelling distance and time for many people but he was thankful most understood the benefits a new bridge would have.
On 18 April, the bridge will be closed for about a month as other works are done on Mary Street and Pound Road.
“Pedestrian access will remain open during the roadworks,” Cr Bilney said.
“It’s not ideal but we felt it was better to open the bridge as soon as possible rather than keeping it closed until the additional roadworks could be completed.”
