The Australian Government will fund $36.19 million of a $45.24 million upgrade to the Gore Highway at Wyaga Creek, north of Goondiwindi, under its Infrastructure Investment Program.
In making the announcement today, Federal Member for Maranoa David Littleproud said the Wyaga Creek crossing project was a win for road safety, freight efficiency and network reliability.
“This upgrade will improve road safety for all users as well improving freight efficiency and network reliability by reducing annual times of closure along this key state road link,” Mr Littleproud said.
“As we’ve just seen in the most recent flooding event, we need to improve flood resilience on the Gore Highway, and we’ll achieve this by replacing the existing low-immunity culvert with a higher flood immunity bridge structure.”
“Right now, flooding at the southern-most crossing of Wyaga Creek at Kilbronae is the largest contributor to the Gore Highway closures.
“These road closures are slowing down vital transport and industry networks.”
The project, which is expected to support 95 direct and indirect jobs, will also deliver pavement widening and rehabilitation works on the approaches to the new bridge.
Construction is expected to start in mid-2022 and be finished by late 2023.
The Australian Government is investing $110 billion over 10 years from 2021-22 in land transport infrastructure across Australia through its rolling infrastructure pipeline, most of which is under the Infrastructure Investment Program.
This program is part of the Government’s broader strategy to bust congestion, better connect the regions, meet the national freight challenge, get Australians home sooner and safer, and build a stronger and more resilient Australia.
