What option has Main Roads selected to allow pedestrian access across Quart Pot Creek Bridge?

• Main Roads has selected a short-term option which will involve construction and installation of a separate, low-level, prefabricated (timber/steel) footbridge across Quart Pot Creek.
• The new footbridge will be constructed on the western side of the existing Carnarvon Bridge (otherwise known as Quart Pot Creek Bridge).

How did Main Roads decide on this option?

• Main Roads examined options for allowing pedestrian access across the bridge carefully and thoroughly, taking into consideration construction constraints and available funding for the project.
• Discussions with council took place early April 2009.

Why are you choosing this option?

• Main Roads believes we need a better alternative to the current situation, where pedestrians and motorists are sharing the road.
• This option is also cost effective, meaning it can be put in place with existing funds for the installation of this prefabricated bridge to begin sooner rather than later.

Why can’t Main Roads repair the existing footbridge?

• As no plans or records exist for the Carnarvon Bridge structure, options involving attaching new components for a footway to the bridge had to be abandoned, to prevent further damage to the bridge.
• To confirm this recent inspections of the footbridge have advised the current structure is not able to be repaired, due to the deterioration of the steel supports along the frame of the bridge.
• Attempts to repair these supports would cause further damage to the footbridge and damage to the traffic bridge.
• Main Roads have put forward a business case for review regarding a new traffic bridge structure for future state roads funding.
• This business case incorporates a new footbridge. Using available funds to repair/replace the footbridge is not feasible or cost effective, when the new structure would need to be demolished at a later date.

• Main Roads will install standard pedestrian lighting for the new footbridge and surrounding area.
• The new pathways and bridge are positioned through an open area of the park and a good distance away from under the road bridge.

• Main Roads have data from the Department of Natural Resources & Water for the past three years for flooding levels of the Quart Pot Creek area.
• This data shows that the flooding levels to close the new footbridge have occurred twice in the past three years. Therefore the footbridge is expected to provide at least 95 per cent availability year round.
• However, in the event of a major flooding event, Main Roads expects the bridge would only be inaccessible for about 24 hours to allow roadworks crews to ensure the bridge is safe for pedestrian access.

• The new bridge will ensure pedestrians are crossing safely, by placing more separation between pedestrians and motorists as our priority.
• Main Roads and Southern Downs Regional Council will be putting in place necessary pathways to allow easy access for the community to cross Quart Pot Creek.
• Main Roads top priority is the safety of pedestrians and motorists.

• Main Roads and Southern Downs Regional Council will be constructing correct standard pathways to allow easy access for all pedestrians (including those using wheelchairs or motorised scooters), approaching the new footbridge.

• Main Roads’ objective at this stage is to solve the current access situation as quickly and as safely as possible.
• The long timeframe required to plan and construct a large footbridge at the same level as the existing structure would cause the current traffic situation with traffic signals to remain for another 2 to 3 years.
• Main Roads can install a prefabricated footbridge closer to the creek within 3 months. 
• Main Roads have submitted a business case for the planning and design stage of a new, larger bridge structure for consideration in future state roads funding allocations between 2009/10 to 2014/15.
• This business case incorporates a new footbridge and Main Roads feels that this will be the better long term solution for access for the future.
• A footbridge built near the existing bridge would also interfere with the future construction of the new road bridge, with possible closure and no access
  during construction.

• The old footbridge has been accessed on the western side of High Street since 1931.
• Main Roads and Council have identified the current use of the access points, and the distance from the new footbridge location to High Street footpaths is a highly-preferred location for pedestrians in the area.
• The new road/footbridge to be built in the future may be on the eastern side and therefore the pre-fabricated footbridge would need to be demolished.

• The existing concrete traffic bridge was built in 1921.
• The old footbridge was an addition in 1931 using different materials and is therefore a separate structure.
• Main Roads has submitted a business case for the planning and design stage of a new traffic bridge structure for future state roads funding in the 2009/10 to 2014/15 budgets.
• This business case also incorporates a new footbridge design.
• Construction on the new bridge should commence within the next 10 years.