THANKS to a $1,125m grant from the Commonwealth Government’s Building Better Regions, Noah Creek on Cape Tribulation Road will soon have a new bridge.

The Douglas Shire Council will contribute a further $375,000 to the bridge renewal project, which will cost $1.5 million in total.

“I am thrilled that our grant has been successful as Noah Creek Bridge is a vital transport link for our communities north of the Daintree River,” said Mayor Julia Leu.

“Residents need the bridge to connect to services, jobs, education and economic opportunities, especially to support tourism in the Daintree area.

“The existing bridge is a four-span, one-lane-timber-girder bridge. Council has undertaken repairs over the years to ensure it has remained safe. This includes a 2012 refurbishment on timber girders, repair of a timber girder with a steel splint in 2014 and further maintenance in 2017,” she said.

Leu said the 2016 structural assessment in 2016 indicated it was time for a new bridge.

“The work will include a hydraulic assessment of the creek, structural assessment of existing piles and headstocks, design of new girders, deck and bitumen surface.

“This grant allows us to proceed to design and tender stages, with the aim of completing the new bridge by late 2019,” said Leu.