Council to conduct bridge and road surface inspections
26 March 2021
Ipswich City Council will carry out inspections on the McFarland Bridge at Grandchester to ensure the road surface is safe.
Residents have raised concerns this year about sections of Grandchester Mount Mort Road, including the bridge.
Division 1 Councillor Sheila Ireland said she had met with some residents and listened to their concerns.
“I am grateful they have raised these matters with me and I aware that council is looking into various service requests from the community,” Cr Ireland said.
Fellow Division 1 Councillor Jacob Madsen said three separate issues had been raised by the public in March:
- A minor landslip on Grandchester Mount Mort Road – warning signs had been erected and maintenance carried out
- Rutting on road shoulder – repair work scheduled for 19 April
- Drainage problem on Mount Beau Brummell Road, Mount Mort – repairs to be carried out from 28 March.
“Council has said its crews will carry out the necessary work as soon as possible,” Cr Madsen said.
A council spokesperson said McFarland Bridge, Grandchester has been inspected in relation to resurfacing and council is currently reviewing options and funding to undertake works.
Council completed a comprehensive structural overhaul and refurbishment of the bridge in 2019. At the time the road surface over the bridge was inspected and deemed safe.
It was again inspected in 2020 and passed as safe, however it was identified as in decline and has been programmed in for resurfacing in the next 24 months.
A further inspection will be carried out by council officers within the next week.
The spokesperson said surface and guardrail works were scheduled to be carried out on McFarland Bridge within council’s new three-year capital program.
Councillors are also waiting for an officer’s report during this year’s budget process regarding unmaintained and gravel roads and what council should budget for in regards to expenditure on their maintenance and upgrade in certain circumstances.