General News
6 January, 2025
Planning underway for bridge renewal
PYRENEES Shire Council is in the process of planning an upgrade of an access bridge leading to Landsborough Primary School.
PYRENEES Shire Council is in the process of planning an upgrade of an access bridge leading to Landsborough Primary School.
A petition was presented to November’s council meeting seeking urgent repairs to the McKinlay Street bridge.
The November meeting was informed of the planned works to repair the McKinlay Street Bridge.
Council Officers had previously identified the McKinlay Street Bridge guardrail improvements as part of its regular condition surveys and further damage was caused by a vehicle breaking through the existing guardrail.
Council has put in place temporary measures such as reduced speed and installed water filled barriers to prevent further risk.
The McKinlay Street bridge has been previously identified as having load limitations and is currently rated at under 30 tonnes.
Council has designed a renewal for the guardrail which requires a deck overlay for strengthening.
While improving safety, the deck overlay will remove the load limitation.
The deck overlay allows for the installation of a modern Australian Standard guardrail which will provide for a better standard of vehicle and pedestrian protection.
Council intends to publish the design plans and specifications out to market in the coming weeks for response in early 2025 which will likely result in works being undertaken by the end of the financial year.
Funding for the programmed works is through Phase 4 of the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program (LRCIP).
Councillors were told there may be an opportunity for the project to also include an approach footpath from the west of the site to be included in the works.
Council says the McKinlay Street Bridge is a key route for students and the wider school community who access the Landsborough Primary School and the programmed works will ensure the safety of all pedestrians.
At December’s council meeting, Cr Megan Phelan moved a motion to write to people who signed the petition informing them of the proposed bridge works and timing.