The Albanese Labor Government continues to partner with Ipswich City Council to improve the safety and efficiency of the rural road network in Ipswich, with $5 million to flow towards the replacement of the old timber bridge at Purga School Road, Purga.
Ipswich City Council will contribute a further $2.97 million to the project. The 36m long timber bridge is currently load restricted to single-lane traffic. The $7.97 million project will construct an industry standard two-lane road bridge and remove load restrictions from the road network and maintain flood immunity of the structure. The project will include approaches and road alignment.
The Purga bridge is one of 16 road upgrade projects across the country sharing in more than $33.7 million under the Federal Government’s Regional Road Safety program.
Minister for Regional Development and Local Government Kristy McBain said more than $18.8 million would support upgrading old and worn timber bridges to modern structures that can take more weight, are better equipped for major weather events, and are safer for both vehicles and pedestrians.
A further $14.8 million will support improvements to roads used in freight routes, including the installation of intersections, widening roads, sealing roads and installing safety barriers - to increase the productivity and safety of heavy vehicle operations.
“From the Lower Eyre Peninsula in South Australia, Rockhampton in Queensland, through to the Shire of Merredin in Western Australia, these projects will improve road safety in fast-growing regional communities, including in areas that house major production hubs,” Minister McBain said.
“To support local government continue to deliver targeted road improvements, the Albanese Government has significantly increased the funding available to them.
- “The Government is progressively doubling Roads to Recovery to $1 billion per year (already increasing to $650 million this financial year), and is substantially increasing the Road Black Spot program to $150 million per year.”
- The Government has also established the $200 million Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program – a $50 million funding boost, which is now open for applications.
“Our regional road networks are ageing and under growing demand, which is why we continue to partner with local governments, and have increased the funding available to them, to get their targeted road improvements off the ground.
“Projects sharing in this $33.7 million will make these local road networks safer, and also ensure that heavier freight vehicles can utilise direct routes to deliver essential products and services.”
Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann said the Bridges Renewal Program funding would provide a much-needed boost to Ipswich’s rural road network.
“The Ipswich region is fast-growing, which is why we’re delivering funding where it’s needed to ensure that our local road network remains fit-for-purpose.
“This $5 million being delivered to Ipswich City Council will support replacing the ageing bridge at Purga School Road with a more durable and safer structure to keep people safer on our roads.
“This project will improve the flood immunity of this vital bridge and deliver much-needed improvements to Ipswich’s rural roads network and improve safety on our roads.”
For more information, including the full list of successful projects, visit: https://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/about/local-initiatives/bridges-renewal-program/table-funded-projects-bridges-renewal-program-tranche-7
