Council asks feds for cash to keep Story Bridge going as lifespan nears end

One of Brisbane’s most iconic landmarks, the Story Bridge, will reach the end of its lifespan surprisingly soon unless repairs ramp up.

The bridge will need to be replaced

One of Brisbane’s most iconic landmarks, the Story Bridge, will reach the end of its lifespan by 2040 unless expensive repairs ramp up.

Council revealed at its August 6, meeting that despite spending $78 million on the structure in the past five years even more expensive work was yet to come.

The 84-year-old bridge needed a major new renewal program to outlive its 100-year lifespan, which Council said was beyond its financial capacity.

Civic Cabinet Chair for Infrastructure Councillor Andrew Wines said he had written to federal Transport and Infrastructure Minister Catherine King asking for $4.5 million to help with upcoming works.

Council was seeking funds through the Federal Government’s Major Projects Business Case Fund to deliver a detailed business case for a full renewal of the river crossing.

In recent years works had been underneath the road deck and over land, on the Kangaroo Point end of the bridge.

But much more costly and complex works would soon begin on over-water sections.

Work to fix the bridge has been occurring under the deck on the Kangaroo Point side. Picture: BCC

The bridge carried 100,000 vehicles a day, or about one quarter of all daily river crossings and 43 per cent of untolled crossings, Mr Wines told the Council meeting.

Heavy usage, combined with exposure to sun and salt, meant without intervention the bridge had only about 20 to 30 years of remaining life.

“A full restoration of the iconic Story Bridge will mean a whole other century of life for this critical piece of infrastructure,’’ he said.

The Story Bridge in 1940.

“Our Council is committed to spending within its means so we don’t add unnecessary costs on to residents now and into the future.

“A funding partnership like other bridge restoration projects nationally and abroad will help us keep Brisbane moving.”

He said that soon after routine maintenance began in 2019 it became apparent that much more intensive work was needed.

A comprehensive restoration program was required to fix corrosion, apply protective coatings and replace aged steel and footpaths.

Maintenance work on the bridge in 1987.

He said that although expensive, replacing the bridge would be a billion-dollar exercise.

Labor Leader Jared Cassidy said the Opposition had raised concerns when the funding allocated for the bridge restoration project “disappeared’’ from this year’s Council Budget papers.

“It is one of Brisbane’s most iconic assets and $80million over five years was originally allocated for this project,’’ Mr Cassidy said.

“As costs blew out, Council decided it wasn’t as important as other projects they had in mind.

“The Story Bridge restoration was poorly planned and poorly managed.’’

Premier Steven Miles and Transport Minister Bart Mellish both said they had not had direct correspondence from Brisbane City Council about funding needs for the Story Bridge.

“Like all our councils in Queensland we’d expect them to be undertaking the appropriate maintenance on their assets,” Mr Mellish said.

“We do have funding grants on transport infrastructure development scheme which councils across the state can apply for.

“If council was to make an application… we’d be happy to hear from them.”

The bridge was built by the State Government as a tolled structure in 1940 and then transferred to Council seven years later.

Mr Wines said the Story Bridge’s sister structure, the Montreal Harbour Bridge in Canada, which opened in 1930, has had major repairs which were funded by the Canadian government.

The NSW Government was presently restoring the Sydney Harbour Bridge to extend its life.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads said it had not received a request for funding for major repairs on the Story Bridge.

A department spokesperson said Council was entitled to apply for funding through the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme for local road upgrades (to be matched 50:50 by the local government).

“TIDS funding can be used for the construction or upgrade of transport infrastructure, the Story Bridge upgrades may be eligible for this scheme,” the spokesperson said.

Premier Steven Miles and Transport Minister Bart Mellish both said they had not had direct correspondence from Brisbane City Council about funding needs for the Story Bridge.

“Like all our councils in Queensland we’d expect them to be undertaking the appropriate maintenance on their assets,” Mr Mellish said.

“We do have funding grants on transport infrastructure development scheme which councils across the state can apply for.

“If council was to make an application… we’d be happy to hear from them.”