Repair efforts for a key Townsville bridge have been dealt a fresh and costly blow, with vital construction materials swept away by heavy rain and washed into the waters of Nelly Bay.
Storm washes away critical bridge repair materials
The Townsville City Council confirmed that a significant quantity of rock and aggregate, essential for the reconstruction of the Sooning Street Bridge, was lost during a severe weather event. The materials, which were stockpiled at the work site, were carried off by stormwater runoff and ended up in the nearby bay.
This incident represents a major setback for the long-awaited repair project. The bridge, a crucial link for the community of Nelly Bay on Magnetic Island, has been closed to vehicle traffic since it was severely damaged by ex-Tropical Cyclone Kirrily in January 2024. Pedestrians and cyclists have been using a temporary bailey bridge installed alongside the damaged structure.
The council stated that the loss of materials will inevitably cause further delays to the project timeline. Officials are now tasked with not only replacing the lost rock and aggregate but also assessing and mitigating any potential environmental impact from the materials entering the marine environment of Nelly Bay.
Project delays and mounting community frustration
Local residents and business owners, who have endured the inconvenience of the bridge closure for months, have expressed renewed frustration at this latest development. The bridge's absence forces lengthy detours for vehicle access, impacting daily commutes, local commerce, and emergency service routes.
The repair project was already a complex undertaking. The original plan involved demolishing the damaged sections of the bridge and constructing new abutments and decks. The council had previously awarded the construction contract for the $5.1 million repair job to BMD Constructions in May 2024. Work had been progressing before this unforeseen weather-related incident.
A council spokesperson addressed the issue, acknowledging the setback. "We are aware that rock and aggregate from the Sooning Street Bridge site was washed into Nelly Bay during recent heavy rain," the spokesperson said. The council has initiated discussions with the contractor to formulate a recovery plan and is coordinating with relevant state government departments regarding the environmental aspect of the spill.
Environmental assessment and path forward
The immediate focus for authorities is a dual one: project recovery and environmental stewardship. Teams are working to determine the exact volume and type of material lost and to evaluate any effects on the bay's ecosystem.
Moving forward, the council and its contractor must implement additional site management and sediment control measures to prevent a repeat occurrence, especially with North Queensland's wet season posing an ongoing threat. The need to source new materials and the additional cleanup work will add to the project's cost and duration.
The community is now awaiting a revised completion date for the bridge, which was originally hoped to be reopened by late 2024. This latest incident underscores the challenges of infrastructure repair in a region prone to extreme weather and highlights the cascading effects such setbacks have on isolated island communities.
