PIG hunters from Weipa, Mapoon and Napranum should take note of planned works at the Mission River and Andoom Creek bridges, with intermittent closures to impact those travelling at night.
Rio Tinto said that night works to replace a high voltage cable and provide more reliable power to Weipa township would begin on the Mission River bridge next month, followed by work on the Andoom Creek bridge in August.
Works will be undertaken using specialised under-bridge access equipment that, while in operation, will require the bridge to be closed to traffic.
The Mission River bridge works will take place from July 10 to August 21, during which time the bridge will be closed to traffic from 7pm to 5am, apart from at short intervals.
Intervals for public vehicle access will be from 10.30pm to 11pm, midnight to 1am and 4am to 4.30am. Outside of these times, delays of at least one hour should be expected.
Andoom Creek bridge works will run from August 21 to September 21. The same opening and closing times will apply.
Traffic is usually quiet on the bridges between 9pm and 4.30am, with most vehicles either pig hunters or those going fishing.
Emergency service vehicles will be able to access the bridges as needed to ensure uninterrupted service to the Weipa, Mapoon and Napranum communities.
The Mission River Bridge will be closed for most of the night from 7pm to 5am from July 10 to August 21, with only a few short opening periods.
“The community is asked to adhere to all traffic controls during this time until works are completed in October. Pedestrian access and fishing from the bridges is prohibited, all members of the community are reminded to adhere to these restrictions,” a Rio Tinto spokesperson said.
