Minister for Main Roads
The Honourable Craig Wallace
To celebrate the $315 million Houghton Highway Duplication Project reaching the half-way point of construction, Main Roads Minister Craig Wallace today announced the new structure would be named the Ted Smout Memorial Bridge.
Mr Wallace said the bridge’s naming was not only to mark the project’s milestone, but was also part of Queensland’s 150th birthday celebrations.
“I am honoured to have this opportunity to recognise the people, history and environment that make our state great,” Mr Wallace said.
“This name commemorates the spirit of the ANZACs by acknowledging Ted Smout who was Queensland’s last surviving World War One digger - a legend not only in the Brighton/Sandgate area, but the whole of Australia.
“Right up to his death at 106 years old, Ted was always willing to pass on to younger generations stories of bravery and sacrifice which Australian servicemen and women made ensuring our country’s safety.”
Ted Smout OAM was honoured in 2000 by being made Brisbane Citizen of the year and was also a French Legion of Honour recipient.
Member for Redcliffe Lillian van Litsenburg said naming the Houghton Highway duplication bridge after Ted Smout was a tribute Redcliffe people would find fitting in honouring such a well known World War 1 digger.
“This is what the Q150 bridge naming celebrations are all about - Queenslanders sharing their pride in the things that make our state unique and having the opportunity for them to be recognised in significant road structures,” Ms van Litsenburg said.
Member for Sandgate Vicky Darling was on the community selection panel that recommended the bridge be named after Mr Smout, following submissions from the community.
“Ted Smout was a man who always extended a hand of friendship to his fellow Australians, so it is apt that we name after him this new bridge that extends between Brighton and Redcliffe,” Ms Darling said.
The Q150 bridge naming project is a state-wide initiative that will name more than 50 bridges across Queensland in 2009 based on suggestions from the community.
Mr Wallace said 39 of the 78 spans needed to complete the Ted Smout Memorial Bridge were now in place.
“The new bridge is stretching almost 1.4 kilometres over the water towards Clontarf, and with the new Pine River Fishing Platform in the middle of Bramble Bay also advancing, it is certainly becoming obvious to motorists and residents that the structure is taking shape,” he said.
“The duplication will not only increase traffic capacity between the Redcliffe Peninsula and Sandgate, but also provide safer, all-weather access for commuters.
“Commuters and recreational users alike need a structure that will meet their needs now and into the future, and I am confident the Ted Smout Memorial Bridge will deliver.”
The project involves constructing the new 2.7-kilometre bridge designed to withstand a one in 2000 year storm event and upgrading the existing Houghton Highway Bridge and approaching intersections.
Mr Wallace said on completion, the new bridge will consist of 10,000 tonnes of asphalt, 9,000 tonnes of steel and 120,000 tonnes of concrete.
“An average of 702 direct and indirect jobs will be sustained throughout the life of the Houghton Highway Duplication Project, which is great news for Queenslanders,” he said.
“The new bridge is expected to be opened to traffic by mid-2010 with the entire project scheduled for completion by mid-2011, weather permitting.” |
