2 March 2012

Six piles, each 1.2m in diameter and varying from 15 to 18 metres, have been installed as part of the $1.2M project to replace a wooden bridge over Maria Creek in Howard with a prestressed reinforced concrete bridge with shared pedestrian-cycle pathway.

Work started on November 16, 2011 and Council estimates that Steley Street will be closed to through traffic until the end of April.

“The project has been delayed slightly by the wet weather, Fraser Coast Mayor Mick Kruger said.

“The contractor is working weekends to bring the project back on schedule, and I’m sure residents will appreciate their efforts to complete the project.

“Two weekends ago they poured the headstock on the Howard side of the creek and are ready to pour the headstock on the Bay side of the creek.”

Pre-stressed concrete girders have been made and will be delivered to the site as soon as the headstocks are ready.

“Then the deck can be formed and poured,” Cr Kruger said.

The project also includes a 2.5-metre-wide walk/cycleway path across the bridge. The walk/cycleway path will ensure that pedestrians and cyclists can use the bridge safely in wet weather.

Cr Kruger thanked Howard residents for their patience as the project progresses.