Story Bridge pedestrian access reopening: Works on new decking reach halfway point
Half of the first replacement footpath on Brisbane’s iconic Story Bridge has been installed, with an expected timeline for reopening to pedestrians firming up in the process.
Half of the first replacement footpath on Brisbane’s iconic Story Bridge has been installed, with works expected to be completed before the end of the year.
Council’s Tuesday meeting heard about 150m of the 300m length of the city (upstream) crumbling footpath now had been overlaid with a strong composite decking.
The locally sourced steel frame was installed in August, and now more than half of the custom-made decking panels on the first side had been installed.
Work on the eastern path would follow.
Both paths were controversially closed just before cyclone Alfred hit early this year, with very limited public notification.
There was initially little reasoning given, but Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner later said a full safety assessment following the closure showed the paths were in worse condition than previously thought.
About five earlier reports over a number of years found they were approaching their end of life.
The almost $7 million investment to install the new decking is in addition to the nearly $80 million invested in the Story Bridge since 2019.
The upgrade was part of the long-term restoration plan to keep the 85-year-old bridge in good condition.
The $5 million Story Bridge Restoration Business Case, jointly funded with the Federal Government, would be completed in 2026.
The business case would develop a staged plan to progressively restore the Story Bridge as required over the next 15 to 20 years.
The Story Bridge is 85 years old and was built by the Queensland Government to last 100 years.
“This is an incredible engineering effort using Australian steel and our hardworking full-time bridge maintenance crews to deliver a safer and stronger Story Bridge,” Mr Schrinner said.
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