Einasleigh River Bridge

The Einasleigh River Bridge is a road bridge over the Einasleigh River on the Gulf Developmental Road, in the Far North Queensland, Australia, located 53 kilometres (33 mi) east of Georgetown and 36 kilometres (22 mi) west of Mount Surprise. The bridge is part of the only sealed (asphalt) road linking Cairns and Normanton in the Gulf Savannah region.[3]

Einasleigh River Bridge
Coordinates18°11′08″S 144°00′30″E
CarriesMotor vehicles
CrossesEinasleigh River
LocaleFar North Queensland, Australia
Preceded byLow set bridge
Characteristics
DesignViaduct
MaterialPrestressed concrete
Total length416 metres (1,365 ft)
Width9 metres (30 ft)
Longest span12.6 metres (41 ft)
No. of spans33[1]
Clearance below8.5 metres (28 ft)
History
Construction startJune 2010[2]
Construction end20 January 2011
Location

The new high set bridge was constructed to flood-proof the Gulf Country. It replaced an existing low level bridge which was designed for inundation. The old bridge was flooded in every wet season. In 2009 it was under water for 40 days after the biggest flood on record. During flooding of the old Einasleigh River Bridge, most communities across the Gulf Shires were inaccessible by road and the emergency supplies had to be provided by helicopter.

The bridge was built by the Etheridge Shire Council and was funded through the Australian Government's Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program.[4] It was opened on 20 January 2011 by Simon Crean, the Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government.[5]

References
  1. Richard Tomkies (18 June 2010). "Bridge Under Way" (PDF). Northern Herald. Retrieved 8 September 2010.
  2. "Second Bridge for Flood Prone Qld Gulf Region" (PDF). Derek Tipper. Senator the Hon Jan McLucas. 11 June 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 October 2011. Retrieved 8 September 2010.
  3. "Minister makes trip across North West". Department of the Premier and Cabinet. Queensland Government. 29 September 2010. Retrieved 29 November 2010.
  4. Peter Michael; Michael Madigan (7 September 2010). "Einasleigh River bridge could be key to Bob Katter's decision on which party to support". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 7 September 2010.
  5. "$18 million Einasleigh Bridge officially opened". Minister for Regional Australia. 20 January 2011. Archived from the original on 19 February 2011. Retrieved 31 January 2011.


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