Fossil find doesn't derail Geebung bridge project Fossil find is 'incredible' 50 million year old crocodiles, fish and plants are found at a work site on Brisbane's north side in a "phenomenal" discovery. PT1M55S http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/action/externalEmbeddedPlayer?id=d-2q1wp 620 349 July 16, 2013 Nearly six months after the discovery of 50 million year old fossils threatened to derail a $199 million Geebung bridge project, it moved a step closer to reality. Bridge support beams for the final span of the Robinson Road rail overpass in Brisbane's north were put in place this week, paving the way for a mid-2014 opening. The level crossing replacement project has been a long-awaited one for the residents of the city's north. The lumbar vertibrae of 50 million-year-old crocodile found near Geebung, in Brisbane's north. The notorious traffic blackspot claimed the life of a man in 2011 and has recorded more than 40 near misses. Works began in April, Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said, and progressed rapidly despite the fossil discovery in July, which temporarily halted construction. "Construction of the road overpass bridge has progressed rapidly since the commencement of major works," Cr Quirk said. Once the third and final span is in place and each of the bridge approaches connected, a solid structure will be formed over the North Coast Rail line. This puts the project on track to achieve a mid-2014 opening of the road over rail overpass, ahead of the overall completion of the project in late 2014. The project is jointly funded by Brisbane City Council and the Queensland Government. The upgrade of the crossing was a key promise of Premier Campbell Newman's election campaign, Member for Nudgee Jason Woodforth said. "We will vastly improve safety for motorists, reduce traffic congestion and increase freight and passenger rail efficiency," he said. Once open, the project will connect Robinson Road East and Robinson Road West. The construction site made national headlines in mid-July, after project workers made the surprising fossil discovery. Fifty million year-old crocodile, frogs, fish, and plant remains were found at the site and touted as a potential world-first. http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/technology/sci-tech/phenomenal-fossil-find-in-brisbanes-north-20130716-2q1bk.html