FNQ-Kuranda-Barron River bridge (Kuranda) reopens to two lanes from 20/9/24

Barron River bridge (Kuranda) reopens to two lanes from 12noon Friday 20 September 2024

Detailed investigations have confirmed it is safe to reopen the Barron River bridge at Kuranda to two lanes.

The 42.5 tonne load limit will remain in place.

Two-lane operation of the bridge was reinstated at 12pm Friday 20 September 2024.

Inspections in late May 2024 identified previously unidentified issues with some of the Macalloy bars on the bridge. The Macalloy post-tensioning bars were retrofitted in 1963 to provide extra strength after the bridge opened to traffic earlier that year.

As a precaution, the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) implemented a single-lane operation of the bridge to ensure safety for the crew and road users while further investigations and work to protect the Macalloy bars were carried out. TMR has applied a protective wrap to the affected areas of the Macalloy bars.

Investigations on the bridge and laboratory tests have confirmed that the Macalloy bars may remain in place until a long-term solution is implemented. An inspection regime will continue to monitor corrosion until completion of a long-term solution. TMR will also be closely monitoring vehicle weight to ensure compliance with 42.5 tonne load limit requirements.

The bridge is nearing the end of its life and a planning study that will determine the preferred long-term solution for the bridge is on track for completion in December 2024.

Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program (QTRIP) 2024-25 to 2027-28 includes $15 million towards preconstruction including a reference design.

Scheduled testing and maintenance works, that are part of an ongoing detailed inspection and monitoring program, will be carried out from 4 November to 29 November 2024. During these works, a lane closure is required for the safety of the work crew and road users between 7am and 5pm.