Project info
The $148 million Forgan Bridge project is a signature project for Main Roads, Mackay/Whitsunday Region. It is the largest project of its kind undertaken by the region and will reshape a major entrance to the central business district.
The existing Forgan Bridge is a two-lane concrete structure about 450m long. The Mackay Area Integrated Transport Plan (MAITPlan) 2002-2025 recommended the provision for additional city cross-river capacity through the replacement of the Forgan Bridge with a new four-lane structure.
The existing Forgan Bridge carries approximately 30,000 vehicles per day (vpd), which is expected to increase to 40,000 vpd over the next 20 years.
The Forgan Bridge Replacement and Duplication Project extends beyond construction of the bridge, with a package of roadworks to ease congestion including the four laning of Barnes Creek Road, a new bridge over Barnes Creek and the upgrade of the Kooyong intersection to tie in with the Joint Levee Road, which is also currently under construction.
Forgan Bridge Replacement Project map: March 2009 (PDF, 786 KB)
Construction
The new bridge will be constructed in two stages.
Stage 1: Includes constructing a new two-lane structure on the downstream side of the existing Forgan Bridge with traffic diverted onto the new structure once complete.
Stage 2: Includes demolition of the existing Forgan Bridge and constructing another 2 lanes in its place. The end result will be a new four-lane bridge linking Sydney Street and River Street to Barnes Creek Road.
Barnes Creek Bridge will be replaced using the same methodology.
A temporary steel platform is being used to assist with the construction of the Forgan Bridge over the Pioneer River.
Key milestones
- May 2008: Construction commenced on the Forgan Bridge duplication
- February 2009: construction commenced on Barnes Creek Bridge
- March 30 2009: implementation of traffic changes around the Kooyong intersection
- May 31 2009: implementation of traffic changes within the Mackay CBD area
- November 2009: completion of piling works on Stage 1 of Forgan Bridge
- December 2009: complete works on Barnes Creek Bridge Stage 1 and diversion of traffic
- December 2009: demolition of Barnes Creek Bridge and piling works on stage 2 to commence
- March 2010: completion of Forgan Bridge Stage 1 and diversion of traffic onto the new bridge
- April 2010: commence demolition of existing Forgan Bridge and Stage 2 piling
- August 2010: complete works along Barnes Creek Road, Barnes Creek Bridge and the Kooyong intersection
- Mid-2011: Expected completion date.
To stay informed, the department will be providing regular e-newsletters which will provide updated project information.
To receive these e-newsletters, subscribe to forganbridge@mainroads.qld.gov.au
Contact details
Traffic info
Traffic Management Changes
To assist construction. changes to traffic movements in the Mackay CBD and in North Mackay around the Kooyong intersection were required. These changes were designed to improve traffic flow and ensure public safety during the project. These changes will remain in place until works in these areas are complete.
Drivers are encouraged to take their time near the construction site and to plan their trips or use alternative routes. The department is mindful that the proposed traffic changes will impact on the wider Mackay community.
The benefits of these changes include:
- Allows for a continuous flow of traffic on and off of Forgan Bridge and through the Kooyong intersection.
- Avoids the need for frequent traffic changes throughout the construction period
- Improves safety for the travelling public
- Streamlines project construction
- Implementation of traffic changes at Kooyong intersection: 30 March 2009.
North Mackay traffic changes: March 2009 (PDF, 114 KB)
Implementation of traffic changes in Mackay CBD area: 31 May 2009.
Mackay CBD traffic changes: May 2009 (PDF, 286 KB)
