A Sigh Of Relief Bridge Erected In Ollera Creek

For more than seven days, the Bruce Highway connecting traffic both north and south in the Hinchinbrook region has been cut off from both essential resources and access to surrounding areas due to the closure of a vital link in the region’s infrastructure—the Ollera Creek bridge on the Bruce Highway.
In a critical response to provide the community with necessary supplies, a temporary bridge was erected.
State member for Hinchinbrook, Nick Dametto, explained how the temporary bridge was a game changer for the region:
“Having the temporary bridge go up was a real changing of the gears when it comes to getting the services and the equipment to get Hinchinbrook Shire back on track.
“Seeing those the first Ergon Energy trucks coming across the bridge was quite uplifting, that extra help was on its way.”
As the floodwaters began to subside, the priority became restoring access from both the north and south. To support this, the temporary bridge was closed on Saturday 8th February for further restoration.
Essential access to assist the Ingham community was provided by Queensland Rail via a small bus on the rail tracks.
Then finally, on Monday 10th February at 8pm, the Ollera Creek Bridge opened for freight, supply, and emergency vehicles heading north to Cairns.

The bridge opened ahead of schedule but the early opening aimed to support freight movement before potential flooding impacts north of Ingham in the following days.

On Tuesday 11th February the Bruce Highway at the Seymour River (between Cardwell and Ingham) was expected to close.

Queensland Police coordinated the movement of freight, supply, and emergency vehicles.

From Tuesday afternoon onwards the bridge was open to general traffic, with traffic control and speed restrictions in place until further notice.

The people of Ingham were thrilled with the announcement as they can now travel south.