- The last of 575 concrete piles have been installed on the Gympie bypass project
- Works on all 42 bridge structures are now underway or complete
- The $1 billion project is due for completion late 2024, weather permitting
Work is progressing on the Bruce Highway Upgrade – Cooroy to Curra, Section D (Gympie bypass), with the final concrete pile recently poured for the project's 42 bridge structures.
The last of the 575 piles have now been installed, marking another key milestone for this critical infrastructure project.
A bridge pile forms the foundation for columns that hold up a bridge.
With the piles now in place, works on all bridges on the Gympie bypass are underway or complete.
The Keefton Road underpass, Bolcaro Road overpass, Noosa Road overpass and the recently opened Flood Road interchange bridge are now all open.
The $1 billion project is due for completion late 2024, weather permitting.
The Gympie Bypass is jointly funded on an 80:20 basis, with the Australian Government contributing $800 million and the Queensland Government $200 million.
Quotes attributable to the Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:
"The construction of these bridges is crucial to the flood immunity of the project.
"When completed, this new section of the National Highway will stand 27 metres above the regular Mary River water height in Gympie, at its lowest point.
"The new bypass is being built to a height that would have remained operational during events like the devastating floods of early 2022."
Quotes attributable to the Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey:
"There are 42 bridges at 23 locations throughout the 26km Gympie bypass project.
"If each of the 575 piles were placed end to end, it would span over five kilometres. This is over 15 times taller than Q1 in Surfers Paradise (Australia's tallest building at 322.5 metres).
"The bridges will cross waterways, the North Coast Rail line and local roads.
"The project will also deliver a safer, more comfortable highway experience with two lanes travelling in each direction separated by a concrete median."
Quotes attributable to Federal Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Senator for Queensland Anthony Chisholm:
"Infrastructure projects like this will assist in providing continual access to crucial services for the Gympie region.
"The Australian Government is proud to partner with the Queensland Government to deliver much-needed infrastructure.
"The bypass will increase efficiency and reliability of the Bruce Highway."
Explainer/fast fact and or further information (when required/relevant):
