Mr WOOD - 2009-08-19
Earlier this year, a large part of the Barkly Highway was washed away near the Rankin River. The part of the road that washed away included at least 20 culverts. When I visited the damaged site, I was told that no culverts were placed under the repaired section of the highway, which meant the new road would act like a dam. Has the highway been reconstructed to its former standard? Will it happen before the next Wet Season? How much will it cost, and who will pay for the permanent reconstruction of the highway?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his important question. The breach that was experienced on the Barkly Highway was an extraordinary event. The Rankin River Crossing that was constructed in 1979 had never experienced waters higher than the crossing. During the peak of the flood, the water level rose 1 m higher than the crossing.
As members will recall, the resultant damage to the road was significant, with more than 2 km of highway damaged, and a 70 m section of the highway washed away. The Department of Planning and Infrastructure mobilised quickly to undertake emergency repairs to reopen as soon as possible. That was the first stage of the work: get out there for emergency repairs to reopen as soon as possible. The emergency repairs were completed in March at a cost $2.73m.
Following this, the department undertook a study of the road to assess the original design and identify any improvements that could reduce the risk of such damage occurring again. The study was undertaken by Sinclair Knight Mertz. They identified new works in the form of reinforced concrete batters on the downstream batter. These works will upgrade protection of the crossing and prevent significant roadway damage in extreme flooding events. The reinstatement of the culvert will be undertaken in conjunction with these protection works. This project is about to start. It is expected to be completed ahead of the Wet Season. I look forward to updating the House on the progress of these works.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his important question. The breach that was experienced on the Barkly Highway was an extraordinary event. The Rankin River Crossing that was constructed in 1979 had never experienced waters higher than the crossing. During the peak of the flood, the water level rose 1 m higher than the crossing.
As members will recall, the resultant damage to the road was significant, with more than 2 km of highway damaged, and a 70 m section of the highway washed away. The Department of Planning and Infrastructure mobilised quickly to undertake emergency repairs to reopen as soon as possible. That was the first stage of the work: get out there for emergency repairs to reopen as soon as possible. The emergency repairs were completed in March at a cost $2.73m.
Following this, the department undertook a study of the road to assess the original design and identify any improvements that could reduce the risk of such damage occurring again. The study was undertaken by Sinclair Knight Mertz. They identified new works in the form of reinforced concrete batters on the downstream batter. These works will upgrade protection of the crossing and prevent significant roadway damage in extreme flooding events. The reinstatement of the culvert will be undertaken in conjunction with these protection works. This project is about to start. It is expected to be completed ahead of the Wet Season. I look forward to updating the House on the progress of these works.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016