Queensland, Australia Launches Design for New Harper's Crossing Bridge

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On November 6, the Queensland government of Australia launched the design for the Harper's Crossing bridge replacement project, which plans to build a new two-lane concrete bridge on Mount Alford Road in the Scenic Rim region to replace two old timber bridges spanning Teviot Brook and Oaky Creek. The project is located approximately 4.5 kilometers southwest of Boonah. Preliminary survey work began in October, the design tender has been released, and physical construction is scheduled for the 2028–2029 financial year.

The upgrade will consolidate the two separate timber bridges into a single concrete bridge, with the design focusing on regional flood conditions, road safety, and structural durability. The two existing timber bridges have been deteriorating continuously for about 10 years and are prone to overtopping during floods. Since 2022, floodwaters have overtopped the bridge decks 9 times, causing Mount Alford Road to be closed on multiple occasions, with the longest single closure lasting up to 3 days, affecting road access for local residents, agricultural operators, and businesses.

The project has now entered the detailed design preparation stage. The Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads has issued a tender for design services and is conducting preliminary investigations to provide a basis for the subsequent bridge structural design and construction planning. Construction funding has been secured through the state government's Bridge Upgrade Program, and the next stage will determine the bridge structure and specific construction arrangements based on the detailed design.

Once completed, the new bridge will carry Mount Alford Road across the Teviot Brook and Oaky Creek area. Compared with the two existing timber bridges, a single concrete bridge will reduce the number of separate river crossings from two to one, improving road connectivity during floods.