Joint media release: Josephville Bridge completion to bring improved accessibility

Local road users can now enjoy a safer, more reliable journey with the completion of Josephville  bridge, thanks to a partnership between the Australian Government and Scenic Rim Regional Council.

Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport and Federal Member for Wright Scott Buchholz said the Bridges Renewal Project was delivering millions for bridge upgrades across the Scenic Rim, to improve road safety and productivity for local transport.

“A strong regional bridges network is crucial to ensure residents have safer routes to and from work, school and the shops, and in order to improve connectivity for local businesses and primary producers.

“I congratulate the Scenic Rim Regional Council on the completion of another local bridge project, funded in partnership with the Morrison Government

Mr Buchholz said the completion of Josephville bridge was symbolic of the significant investments made across the region.

“The Josephville Bridge project has delivered a complete replacement of the one lane timber bridge, with a new two lane concrete bridge removing the previous five tonne load limit,” Mr Buchholz said.

Scenic Rim Regional Council Mayor, Greg Christensen said Council acknowledged and appreciated the continuing advocacy of the Federal Member for Wright Scott Buchholz in support of Council's bridges replacement program.

“Scott has been a champion of the Bridges Renewal Program and of the importance of securing co-funding from the Federal Government to enable Council to bring forward its long-term schedule of works,” he said.    

“We saw first-hand the importance of better bridges in last summer’s tragic bushfire season, with a number of recently upgraded bridges providing access for evacuations, important firefighting assets and heavy equipment in the recovery.

“Without these critical bridge investments, our region would be restricted by load limits, road closures and localised congestion in some instances,” Cr Christensen said.

Councillor for Division Four, Michael Enright welcomed the completion of the Josephville bridge for locals.

“This upgrade means a lot to the local community, and local businesses relying on the regional road network to move produce from paddock to plate.

“We want to see more industry, more jobs and by improving our critical infrastructure, we’re sending a strong signal that the Scenic Rim is a great place to live, work and do business.

“We have a significant number of timber bridges in the Scenic Rim and the Bridges Renewal Program provides the infrastructure investment needed to get them upgraded, to deliver better roads and to get people home sooner and safer,” Cr Enright said.

Ends.

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