Major Bridge Upgrade Keeps Wandoan Moving

A $3.6 million upgrade of the Bundi Road Bridge over Wandoan Creek at Wandoan is now complete, bolstering flood immunity and strengthening the local road network to support residents, businesses and industry. 

Western Downs Regional Council has delivered the major upgrade in partnership with the Australian Government, which has contributed $1.8 million under Round 5 of the Bridges Renewal Program.  

The pre-existing bridge was a low-level single-lane, timber structure which would regularly be impacted by rising floodwaters, creating significant delays and detours for motorists. 

This project replaced the existing structure with a brand-new, two-lane concrete bridge with an increased deck height.  

The new design aims to improve flood immunity and significantly reduce the likelihood of road closures during wet weather. 

Additional works were also completed to the road approaches to increase safety for all road users, including the local school bus. 

The project is a substantial part of recent investment in the Wandoan and Bundi area, with Council recently completing a 5.5-kilometre upgrade of Bundi Road from gravel to bitumen earlier this year, and the bridge upgrade on Bundi Road over Horse Creek in 2017. 

Regional Development, Local Government and Territories Minister, and member for the Eden-Monaro, the Hon Kristy McBain MP said: 

“The Bundi Road Bridge project is another step forward in the Australian Government’s Bridges Renewal Program. 

“It is critical that our regional communities have safe and reliable infrastructure, and I’m proud to be working with local councils like Western Downs to deliver this new bridge for the community. 

“Local businesses and primary producers will now be better connected to the road network to access the Wandoan township and wider Western Downs area, ultimately supporting the region’s economy. 

“We are investing more than $760 million over a decade in this program, with an ongoing commitment of at least $85 million a year.”  

Council Spokesperson for Works and Technical Services Councillor George Moore said: 

“During forced closures due to wet weather, the diversion would mean a 30-kilometre detour for cars, and 88-kilometre-long detour for heavy vehicles – so this upgrade means a great deal to the community, industry, and travellers alike. 

“The stronger and more flood-immune structure also means it can accommodate heavier vehicles, which greatly assists local industries to be able to get their livestock and commodities to market.  

“This project is a testament to Council’s long-term vision to invest in safe, well-maintained road networks that connect our region and support economic prosperity.