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WA bridge replacement to improve truck access

Important bridge on the Brand Highway will be upgraded to improve access for heavier trucks in Western Australia

December 4, 2012

The Western Australian Government will spend $18 million replacing a bridge on the Brand Highway to improve access for heavier trucks.

Transport Minister Troy Buswell says work to replace the ageing Greenough River Bridge in the state’s mid-west will begin this year, with the project due to be completed by the middle of 2014.

Buswell says the existing structure has a low load rating, meaning many heavy loads bound for the Pilbara have to detour on to Great Northern Highway at a financial cost to transporters and miners.

The Government will build a concrete and steel bridge, with some of the funds going towards flood-proofing the structure.

“The new bridge design will cater for bigger combination truck and trailers, while reducing the impact of medium and major flood events,” Buswell says.

“The bridge provides an important link on the Brand Highway which connects Perth to Geraldton, Dongara, the broader Mid-West region and the State’s North-West,” Buswell says.

He says closures from flooding have caused significant economic loss to the state and raised community and business concerns.

“Heavy winter rains in 2006 forced the closure of Brand Highway at the Greenough River Bridge crossing for 65 hours, cutting supplies and access to essential facilities in Geraldton and for people in Dongara, Port Denison and surrounding districts.”

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