General News
13 October, 2026
Tirade reaps result for bridge
A COMMITMENT has been given by Main Roads to repair an old timber bridge at Wondecla after a social media campaign by a local man who took pictures to show just how dilapidated the structure is.
Mark Jarman exposed the terrible condition of the bridge on Longlands Gap Road through several Facebook posts in the past two weeks in a bid to get authorities to act.
He was spurred on after witnessing a motorcyclist nearly come to grief after he hit a large pothole on the bridge surface, subsequently posting images of the undercarriage of the structure showing what he described as its “appalling” condition.
On 26 September, he drew attention to a decision by Main Roads to put a 5-tonne gross limit on vehicles traversing the bridge, noting that the regular school bus, trucks from a nearby quarry and other heavy vehicles that used the road would exceed that limit and be forced to take a much longer alternative route to get to Atherton or Herberton.
Three days later, the limit was lifted to 15 tonnes, with no explanation from authorities as to why the limit could be raised without any works being done.
“Point out that school busses and fire trucks can’t pass at 5-tonne limit and magically they increase it to the limit of a max loaded medium rigid vehicle,” one person posted.
“Obviously must have done a stress test on the bridge overnight to allow for an extra 10 ton?!! Would love to see the data they base this weight increase on,” another person wrote.
Tagging himself as a “Dog with a Bone” on social media, Mr Jarman also obtained fluorescent paint to put lines, arrows and messages on the bridge surface to alert drivers of the rough surface after paint used by road crews wore off after a couple of days.
His posts drew wide support, with locals commenting on the lack of maintenance on the bridge over many years.
“It’s become a big joke. They came along, put up the barricades and signs. Worked on it for one day. Nothing for a month or more. Then they came back and worked on it for one day. Changed the barricades around, put up two big electronic signs for another month. Then they took them away with nothing more done since,” one woman posted.
“I believe the construction work was lined up to occur, remember when we have the big flashy signs and everything set up? However, the structural and load bearing timbers disappeared one night,” another woman wrote.
“Unfortunately, they cost more than what is left in the budget for this project. It would be my assumption that it’s going to keep getting patched up until there is more funding allocated.”
The Express contacted Member for Hill Shane Knuth about the issue who subsequently contacted Main Roads seeking answers.
“It has understandably caused a lot of frustration for locals with heavy load vehicles who need to use the bridge, including school buses and trucks – with the alternative being a substantial distance away,” he said.
“I raised these concerns with TMR, who have responded and inspected the site.”
Mr Knuth received this response from TMR: “The lane restriction is a temporary safety measure introduced in response to defective timber deckers on an abutment beneath the bridge.
“The bridge remains open under single-lane conditions, and the current arrangement is expected to have minimal impact on traffic flow.
“Major repair works are planned for mid-2027 to address the defective deckers. Scheduling the works after the wet season will provide more suitable conditions for undertaking the repairs safely and effectively.”
Mr Knuth said it was “disappointing” works would not commence until after the wet season and he would continue to monitor the issue and communicate with TMR.
