These works are scheduled as part of Council’s 2021/22 capital works and will improve safety for workers during times of maintenance and repairs.

Modifications to comply with current standards and general improvements for public safety will also take place.

Works will be carried out in two stages:

• Stage 1 from 8 November 2021 until early December 2021
• Stage 2 from 27 January 2022 until late February 2022.

Gladstone Region Councillor Glenn Churchill said the main change that pedestrians and road users would notice once the project was completed is the installation of balustrades to protect pedestrians from vehicle movement and traffic calming devices to reduce vehicle speeds over the bridge.

“The majority of these works will improve safe access for maintenance employees to meet modern standards,” Councillor Churchill said.

Cr Churchill said Council is mindful of ensuring works are undertaken with as minimal disruption to the community as possible and that all practical efforts will be made to provide early notification of any disruptions to bridge operations.

“Work will occur between 6am to 6pm Monday to Friday, with disruption to bridge access for marine vessel operators and/or vehicular traffic and pedestrians expected,” he said.

“Due to the nature of the works the bridge is required to be in the closed, lowered position for extended periods while works are being carried out, resulting in restricted access for tall marine vessels.

“While road vehicles and pedestrians will be under traffic control as required, small marine vessels should be unaffected and able to travel underneath the closed bridge.

“If the bridge is raised while works are being carried out it will be closed to vehicular traffic and pedestrians, but marine vessels both small and tall will still be able to navigate through the area.”

Cr Churchill said motorists wanting to access the Gladstone Marina Parklands will need to take an alternative route and travel via Alf O’Rourke Drive during closure periods.

“This alternative route will only be applicable during weekdays when the works are in progress,” he said.

“The bridge will return to full operation on weekends and outside the working hours nominated below.

“Where special events have been identified and communicated to Council, or daily works are completed earlier than planned, the bridge will be returned to full operations earlier to minimise disruption.”

At this stage, Council will limit or prevent access to the Matthew Flinders Bridge between 6am to 6pm on the following dates:

Double lane closures

• Monday 8 November
• Tuesday 9 November
• Wednesday 10 November

Single lane closures with traffic management

• Thursday 11 November to Friday 12 November
• Monday 15 November to Friday 19 November*
• Monday 22 November to Friday 26 November
• Monday 29 November to Friday 3 December*
• Monday 6 December to Friday 10 December

Marine closures (bridge cannot be raised)

• Wednesday 10 November to Friday 12 November
• Monday 15 November to Wednesday 17 November
• Monday 22 November to Friday 26 November
• Monday 29 November to Friday 3 December
• Monday 6 December to Friday 10 December

*Identified events requiring reduced closure times include:

• Tuesday 16 November – Toolooa State High School prom – road fully open from 3pm
• Friday 3 December – Santos GLNG Mayor’s Carols at Marina Parklands – road fully open from 3pm.

Please note that these dates may be subject to change and will be dependent on favourable weather conditions.

Visit www.gladstone.qld.gov.au/public-notices-outages#roads to keep up to date with this project.

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