New bridge improves rural links to Southern Downs
A MAJOR route into the Southern Downs has been made safer thanks to a $1 million bridge now open to traffic.
Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce is expected to announce the official opening of the upgraded Bookookoorara Creek bridge this afternoon, which will provide tourists, emergency service personnel and locals safer access to the area.
Mr Joyce said he was pleased the new two-lane, concrete bridge, replacing the existing 70-year-old, single-lane timber crossing, ould be delivered in less than 12 months.
The bridge works, about 25 km south east of Stanthorpe, come as part of upgrades to the Legume-Woodenbong section of Mount Lindesay Rd.
"It is one of the most contentious roads in Australia, that we promised to fix and are now fixing," Mr Joyce said.
""It's a strategic transport link of the Darling Downs.
This bridge is an important milestone in fixing this road, which had previously been a State Highway, and presented serious safety concerns to the many vehicles which use the route each day including school buses and semi-trailers which must divert onto the unsealed shoulders of the road when passing each other with little room to spare."
