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Shire of Irwin receives $5 million in Federal Government funding to repair Milo Road bridge

Matthew PaddickGeraldton Guardian
The Shire of Irwin administration offices.
Camera IconThe Shire of Irwin administration offices. Credit: Geoff Vivian/The Geraldton Guardian

The Shire of Irwin will upgrade a river crossing after receiving a multi-million-dollar grant to fund the repairs.

The Milo Road upgrade project is estimated to cost $6.7 million, with the Federal Government contributing $5m as part of the Bridges Renewal Program.

Companies Mitsui E&P Australia and Beach Energy have contributed $600,000, with the shire to cover the remaining amount.

The bridge requires upgrades because of heavy traffic, as it’s part of a regional heavy haulage route in the east of the area.

The crossing is closed periodically because of heavy rain, which causes the bridge to become flooded.

Shire of Irwin president Mark Leonard said the upgrades were important because industries relied on the passage to transport stock.

“The Irwin farming community rely heavily on Milo Road, as do other local industries, and the road in its current state was not fit for purpose,” he said.

“As use of this essential road network has increased, council identified the Milo Road crossing infrastructure as being inadequate and unsustainable for the current and forecasted general traffic and heavy vehicle usage.

“These road improvements will deliver the best possible outcome for all users upon completion and have far-reaching social and economic benefits.”

The shire says, the low crossing will be replaced on the north side by a culvert structure, with the remaining section to be a concrete floodway.

Works are expected to begin by the end of June, before the end of the financial year.

Beach Energy’s biggest shareholder is Seven Group Holdings, which controls Seven West Media, the owner of The Geraldton Guardian.

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