Mr LUGG - 1998-08-12
What is the extent of development of the Elizabeth River Bridge and when is it likely to be finished?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, there could be no better example than this of a new construction that does not work, that is totally unsatisfactory, and where the road approach network is totally unworkable.
This situation arose out of a need to provide that bridge extremely quickly. As honourable members will be aware, 2 years ago, Darwin was cut off. It was impossible to leave Darwin by road because of flooding that occurred at the Elizabeth River crossing. I approached the then federal Minister for Transport and Works, Hon John Sharp, and we received permission to build that bridge immediately. We were informed that the Commonwealth government would pay the Territory later for the work, and I think that has been done.
Mr Bailey: It does not matter, sign on the dotted line.
Mr COULTER: We did. We needed the bridge. We could no longer tolerate that people could not leave Darwin, caravan people in particular, during the wet season and when cyclone warnings applied. The bridge had to be built – and build it we did. In record time, it went from design to construction. In a little over a year it was opened temporarily to allow people to cross when the river came up again. Eventually it was completed and opened to traffic.
However, in the speed of providing that facility a totally unworkable approach network was provided at the bridge. It is our intention to seek funding, by way of substitution from the Treasurer, to enable the duplication to occur between the Arnhem Highway past those bridges. We intend to include a converging lane. Ideally, we would like a dual lane through to the Berry Springs turn-off. As an interim measure, we will have a duplication, providing the Treasurer sees fit to sign off on the substitution that is being offered to him by the department. There will be a dual carriageway from the Arnhem Highway turn-off to the Elizabeth River bridge.
I know both the honourable members for Nelson and Goyder have copped a fair bit of stick over this bridge through the local press and also from their constituents. One cannot blame people. It is a terrible situation, and I hope that we will be able to rectify that very soon.
I am concerned that the design, the tenders, and the approvals should occur very quickly. I would hate to think that we might start work on it in November, and an early wet season might set in and people will not be able to cross on the new bridge. This matter is of considerable concern to me. I assure the member for Nelson that we have listened to both himself and the member for Goyder, and we will rectify that fault as quickly as possible by providing an appropriate approach.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, there could be no better example than this of a new construction that does not work, that is totally unsatisfactory, and where the road approach network is totally unworkable.
This situation arose out of a need to provide that bridge extremely quickly. As honourable members will be aware, 2 years ago, Darwin was cut off. It was impossible to leave Darwin by road because of flooding that occurred at the Elizabeth River crossing. I approached the then federal Minister for Transport and Works, Hon John Sharp, and we received permission to build that bridge immediately. We were informed that the Commonwealth government would pay the Territory later for the work, and I think that has been done.
Mr Bailey: It does not matter, sign on the dotted line.
Mr COULTER: We did. We needed the bridge. We could no longer tolerate that people could not leave Darwin, caravan people in particular, during the wet season and when cyclone warnings applied. The bridge had to be built – and build it we did. In record time, it went from design to construction. In a little over a year it was opened temporarily to allow people to cross when the river came up again. Eventually it was completed and opened to traffic.
However, in the speed of providing that facility a totally unworkable approach network was provided at the bridge. It is our intention to seek funding, by way of substitution from the Treasurer, to enable the duplication to occur between the Arnhem Highway past those bridges. We intend to include a converging lane. Ideally, we would like a dual lane through to the Berry Springs turn-off. As an interim measure, we will have a duplication, providing the Treasurer sees fit to sign off on the substitution that is being offered to him by the department. There will be a dual carriageway from the Arnhem Highway turn-off to the Elizabeth River bridge.
I know both the honourable members for Nelson and Goyder have copped a fair bit of stick over this bridge through the local press and also from their constituents. One cannot blame people. It is a terrible situation, and I hope that we will be able to rectify that very soon.
I am concerned that the design, the tenders, and the approvals should occur very quickly. I would hate to think that we might start work on it in November, and an early wet season might set in and people will not be able to cross on the new bridge. This matter is of considerable concern to me. I assure the member for Nelson that we have listened to both himself and the member for Goyder, and we will rectify that fault as quickly as possible by providing an appropriate approach.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016