After my previous post which indirectly pointed a finger at Logan council for not wanting to spend money on much needed infrastructure below the old ( pre amalgamation ) boundary, rather they spend it wastefully on cosmetic improvements like entrance statements and other such rubbish when pot holes that can break suspension and bridges fall into such a state of disrepair that they have to put a load limit on them.
So, Edwards Bridge, falls into this category, it is in a desperate condition and I have done a little research on it's current state and it's scary.
Edwards bridge is at Greenbank, Queensland on Old Goodna Road, near Ison Road intersection, and spans a creek which can during rain carry considerable water but is quite low during dry spells.
The Bridge, if I recall correctly from Beaudesert Shire Council discussions was constructed in about 1975 (or thereabouts ) to replace a single lane one which may have been (partially) washed away.
Its construction was typical of its day, timber, what amounts to big telegraph poles were used for the abutments, to hold the span (in the middle of the creek) and for the platform. The majority of those poles are still there.
In the late 80's the platform was upgraded, off came the pole platform and bitumen topping and after a layer of metal sheeting (it resembles shed siding) as a permanent formwork concrete was poured and again a bitumen topping applied.
As of right now the bridge supports are stuffed, simple, it needs replaced right now, YESTERDAY !!!
When trucks traverse that bridge, it is a scary sight from below, you wouldn't remain under there for long as it look like splitting posts and bearers are ready to give up at any moment.
This bridge came up for discussion after heavy rains in around 1996 when some bridges constructed in a similar fashion were washed away, and it was put into a list for further investigation due to its condition being bad for its age.
Later, during the last term of the Beaudesert Shire Council, a survey of all the wooden bridges revealed that Edwards Bridge needed urgent replacement. And then we were amalgamated with Logan by force, and Logan doesn't want to spend the money.
This bridge is on a main thoroughfare, and although it's not heavily used in comparison to nearby Teviot Road, peak hours see it full and it's the shortest way to and from either end, by far.
The question I put to Council is, does someone have to get hurt, seriously hurt before you guys accept that you have to spend money below the old Logan Boundary?
Come on Logan, before there is disaster, get off your butt and do something.
6 comments:
This bridge has been under water so many times in the last 20 years that I have lost count.
Since development in Springfield the traffic using this bridge has increased at least by 500%.
The biggest problem is that it is considered a short cut to Springfield and not often policed.
For years residents have requested that a proper road be constructed through the Spring Mountain Estate which would then take up some of the traffic to Springfield. This would also provide another emergency exit for residents in that estate.
Personally I think that residents should look at a class action for negligence of council's duty of care. We shouldn't wait until someone is killed.
The same applies to the appalling conditions of roads such as New Beith Road and others.
It beggars belief that council can keep approving new developments without decent infrastructure.
I've seen quite a few trucks go mirror to mirror on the Edwards bridge, smashing glass and maybe even windows, it's about time something was done. Roll on the next elections so we can change from little miss can't be wrong and get someone who is actually interested in doing the job.
While Crs feel that it is good to spend MILLIONS on Parks, recreation facilities while more urgent items like this bridge wait beggars belief that they have the best intentions towards the constituents . One just appd a $40000 kitchen for a horse club with no more than 100 members. Go Figure
I have it under good authority that Edwards Bridge is in worse condition than what many who cross it would believe possible to have allowed to be continued using.
I have had a close look and the disrepair and splitting of the timber work is evident and when a medium truck (within the 15 tonne limit crosses the whole thing vibrates and shudders and the noises are scary.
I know Logan Council engineers have had a close look also and at least one councillor who has some knowledge of this kind of issue, Ray Hackwood has looked at what a disgraceful condition the bridge has been allowed to fall into.
This bridge needs real attention now, there is no way it will last the time they are saying it has to even with the load limit in my opinion.
I call on Logan to get this job done now, don't leave it until a tragedy occurs and apart from the human element in an accident situation there is the potential for extra cost if that happens due to possible environmental impacts of having a bridge fail in a loaded situation.
How can Logan justify the wage packet to a person who clearly is not doing the work for it?
I'm sick of hearing 'wait till the next elections and vote them out'. In Logan's duty of care to the constituents it should have the means to fire incompentent people be they staff or crs.
What has happened to performance based employment - the crs are public servants employed and paid by the people.
This cr seems far too interested in new development and publicity and not the people - time for a real representative.
In the JT she is quoted as saying that the recent events have affected her standing in the community. News flash Cr - you have no standing in this community except among your little circle of fans.
OK, it is now 2013 and the old bridge has been replaced with a new one. But why oh why did the council not build it at a higher level than the old one. In this last lot of rain (both Australia day and February rains) the bridge was closed and the road to Springfield had low areas which were also flooded. Just another band-aid job by the powers-that-be instead of doing the job properly.
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