Premier Anna Bligh today inspected the completed southern approach of the second Gateway Bridge as the first leg of a state-wide infrastructure tour.
Ms Bligh and Treasurer Andrew Fraser will blitz 10 regional Queensland centres from tomorrow on the Building For Jobs Tour to highlight the State Government’s record $18 billion infrastructure program which is keeping 127,000 Queenslanders employed during the fallout of the global financial crisis.
“There are major infrastructure projects underway and in many cases reaching major milestones if not a conclusion and we need to drive home to each and every Queenslander how vital this program is,” Ms Bligh said.
“This is the biggest infrastructure program of any state and it is the number one priority of my government to keep it going and on track to maintain our economic footing through this period of global economic downturn.
“Vitally, it’s about keeping Queenslanders in jobs. If we were to cut the program, we risk 127,000 jobs and I am determined that will not happen.
“For the next four days the Treasurer and I will be on the road from the Gold Coast to Cairns and back again to see first hand the program in action.”
Standing atop the final southern span, Ms Bligh said the $1.88 billion Gateway project was a prime example of the Government’s $18 billion building program.
“The bridge approach on the southern side of the river is now complete following 13 months of construction after the final 70-tonne concrete segment was lifted into place on Saturday.
“The use of match cast methodology for this approach has advanced the overall project three months ahead of schedule, which is a great achievement.
“It has taken five months to install the 252 pre-cast concrete segments to form the bridge deck, aided by a 600-tonne crawler crane and a team of 25 workers.
“The segments were placed together on either side of the bridge piers, fitting perfectly together and held in position by high tensile steel cables. Around 240 tonnes of load will now be applied to each of the cables, stressing the segments firmly into place.”
Main Roads Minister Craig Wallace said the operation replicated the 10-span northern approach where 496 pre-cast concrete segments were completed in February 2009.
“With the southern approach now completed, the prominent shape of the new bridge can be clearly seen from both sides of the Brisbane River,” Mr Wallace said.
“The focus now switches to the 260-metre main river span where the gap between sections over the river is now a mere 58 metres.
“This section of bridge deck is being constructed using an in-situ concrete pour to cast each segment in a balanced cantilever method, which involves constructing the bridge deck from both sides of each pier to join the southern and northern approaches.
“The 260-metre span which stretches across the Brisbane River and the two 130-metre side spans are due for completion by the end of the year.”
Mr Wallace said when completed, the second bridge would connect with the new seven kilometre section of Gateway Motorway north of the Brisbane River, which was opened last month.
Other sections of the Gateway Upgrade Project include:
- Late 2009 – Opening of the new Airport Interchange connecting with Brisbane Airport Corporation’s internal access road to the Airport.
- Early 2010 – Completion of the 12km Gateway Motorway upgrade between the Gateway bridges and Mt Gravatt-Capalaba Road.
- Mid 2010 – Opening of the new Gateway Bridge.
- Early 2011 – Completion of existing Gateway Bridge refurbishment.
The $1.88 billion Gateway Upgrade Project is a Queensland Government initiative being delivered by Queensland Motorways with design and construction by the Leighton Abigroup Joint Venture.
For further information, visit www.gatewayupgradeproject.com.au
Media contact: Premier’s Office 3224 4500
24 August 2009
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