Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport and Member for Wright, Scott Buchholz has announced new funding under Round Five of the Bridges Renewal Program for Freeman Bridge.
Mr Buchholz said the region will benefit from more than $290 million in Australian Government funding under Round 5 of the Bridges Renewal Program (BRP) and Round 7 of the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program (HVSPP).
“I am pleased to see more funding flowing to improve roads, bridges and heavy vehicle routes across Logan and the Scenic Rim under these two programs.
“This funding provides Council with the capacity to get on with projects that may otherwise be out of the scope of existing budgets. By partnering with local councils, such as Logan City and the Scenic Rim we can get key routes, for residents and freight operators, upgraded and make them safer.
“The upgrade of Freeman Bridge will improve safety by duplicating to a two lane bridge and improve flood immunity and accessibility for those in the community that rely on this route,” Mr Buchholz said.
“Investments made under the bridges program increases freight productivity which is great for businesses and ensures our community is better connected, when upgraded timber bridges are more resilient to natural disasters.
Mr Buchholz said nearly 80 per cent of this funding was going to local councils, with 350 plus projects being delivered across Australia.
“It is vital that we continue to roll out our strong infrastructure investment, now more than ever given the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr Buchholz said the Australian Government would continue to invest in critical infrastructure.
“In this latest round of funding, 50 per cent or $146.97 million in funding is supporting local government areas affected by bushfires, drought or both,” Mr Buchholz said.
“Already more than 500 projects funded through the BRP and HVSPP across the country have either been completed or are well underway and I look forward to getting shovels in the ground on these next projects.”
For more information and a list of successful applicants, visit:
www.infrastructure.gov.au/bridges
www.infrastructure.gov.au/hvspp
Ends.
Media Contact: Mr Buchholz – Scott O’Connell 0413 424 384
