Wide Bay / Burnett Region News

Load limits on timber bridges - August 2012 update

Timber bridges were designed and constructed for the road usage of the early 20th century, well before the introduction of today’s heavy vehicles.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads regularly inspects these bridges and completes bridge maintenance as needed. Some bridges require load restrictions and alternate routes to help ensure safety until bridge rehabilitation work can be completed.

The department currently has a number of temporary load limits in place for timber bridges across the Wide Bay/Burnett region. Bridge crews are currently planning for and undertaking rehabilitation work to restore these bridges back to regulation mass.

The department is committed to a safe and efficient road network. The load limits on these bridges are an interim measure to ensure the safety of road users until the identified work can be carried out.

Road signs are in place on roads approaching the bridges advising motorists of the temporary weight restrictions. Alternative routes exist for a number of the bridges. Please see the map, via the link above, for roads to use.

Road users must obey the road rules and roadwork signs and are urged to allow extra time for their journey. The department thanks you for your patience and cooperation during the temporary bridge changes.

In the past few months, rehabilitation work has been completed and the load limit has been lifted on Kingaroy-Burrandowan Road at the Sandy Creek bridge.

Full details including load limited crossing map