Death trap to be finally upgraded

Wrights Creek bridge upgrade

Daniel Strudwick

Thursday, December 22, 2011

© The Cairns Post

$10 million upgrade: Transport and Main Roads regional director Tony Potter on the Bruce Highway at Wrights Creek. Plans have been announced to upgrade the notorious black spot. Picture: ANNA ROGERS

Residents fed up with the narrow and dangerous Wrights Creek bridge have had their voices heard, with the State and Federal governments finally going ahead with long-held plans to upgrade the crossing.

A $10 million overhaul was originally earmarked to take place in five to 10 years, but the project will start in 2012 after community consultation highlighted the need for urgency.

The bridge – on the highway between Edmonton and Gordonvale – is a black spot for drivers and cyclists, with only a narrow passage for cars and no road shoulder for bikes.

"This bridge has been an upgrade prospect from a time when I was a boy," Mulgrave MP Curtis Pitt said. "I’m a cyclist and I say a Hail Mary every time I go over this bridge."

Money has been committed by the Federal Government, and the State Government has fast-tracked design work under its Bruce Highway Upgrade Strategy, released yesterday.

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My Opinion

Not before time mind you. We are talking about the Bruce Highwy here not some bridge in a third world country. It is a national disgrace that so many lives were lost on the approaches to this bridge. Curtis no doubt you had to use a brick bat over the head of both Governments. What the Cairns region now needs is the construction of another access into Cairns, starting at Wrights bridge and existing at Portsmith.

Ross Parisi
24.12.2011