17 May, 2021
Bridge to success
The new $2.5 million Tummaville Road bridge at Kincora, south-east of Brookstead, was officially opened last Thursday by Toowoomba Regional Council members and officials.
The much needed replacement bridge has been a long time coming after a crash on the original bridge in 2018 deemed it unusable, causing Council to close it.
Toowoomba Region Mayor Paul Antonio, Deputy Mayor Councillor Geoff McDonald, TRC Infrastructure Services Committee chair Councillor Carol Taylor, and TRC Infrastructure Services portfolio leader Councillor Melissa Taylor opened the bridge, thanking those who contributed to the project’s completion and highlighting its importance to the region.
Councillor Carol Taylor said the project had improved road accessibility and safety for the local community.
“Council replaced the former single-lane timber bridge, which was closed to traffic in 2018, with a two-lane, multi-span concrete bridge to improve local accessibility and road safety for motorists and surrounding residents,” Councillor Taylor said.
“Following the completion of the design work, the old, damaged timber bridge was demolished and removed.
“Service relocations were undertaken, and Council crews worked on the temporary piling platforms.
“These were used by the piling contractor to handle and drive the pre-cast concrete piles that formed the bridge foundations.
“Following the completion of the piling installation works, Council completed the concrete construction for the bridge in line with our program to open it to traffic by the first quarter of 2021.”
The project was funded by the Australian Government through the Bridges Renewal Program and Toowoomba Regional Council.
Mayor Antonio said Council was grateful for the Australian Government’s financial contribution to the bridge replacement project.
“Council is responsible for a vast infrastructure network across our 13,000km² region and appreciates the contribution that ensures we keep upgrading infrastructure for residents across our rural localities as well as urban areas,” Mayor Antonio said.
Councillor Taylor reinforced Mayor Antonio’s remarks and thanked everyone for their patience and hard-work.
“Council is appreciative of the $700,000 contribution received through the Australian Government’s Bridges Renewal Program, Round 4, towards this project,” Councillor Taylor said.
“Council assigned $1.775 million in its 2020/21 Budget to the project.
“Council is very grateful for the community’s patience and cooperation during the bridge’s closure and the subsequent construction phase.
“I also acknowledge and thank the contractors who worked on the project and Council’s construction crews for their collaborative efforts.”
The new bridge provides a major crossing of the North Branch of the Condamine River and services the surrounding prime agricultural area.
It has been designed to accommodate large agricultural machinery, higher productivity vehicles and improves flood immunity for the area.
