Indooroopilly’s Walter Taylor bridge to fully close for two weeks

Residents have been given just one-month’s notice before a busy bridge completely closes for at least two weeks with motorists faced with huge detours or the prospect of catching a train.

The Walter Taylor Bridge in Indooroopilly will be fully closed for two weeks, a first since 2013. Picture: Liam Kidston

Walter Taylor Bridge in Indooroopilly, one of the city’s busiest river crossings, will be fully closed in September for two weeks with motorists facing huge detours or the prospect of catching a train.

Only vehicles under six tonnes and 2m wide, potentially just police cars, would be able to cross in emergencies on the adjacent Jack Pesch cycle and pedestrian link.

The disruption, needed for maintenance on the ageing 1930s-era structure, would run from 9pm on September 13 to 5am on September 30.

Surrounding roads in Chelmer on the southern side of the Brisbane River and Indooroopilly on the northern side would also be closed.

It was unclear if the closure could be extended if weather delayed work.

Local Councillor Nicole Johnston said it was the first time the bridge had been totally shut in more than a decade.

Previously there had only been night closures or single lanes shut off during the day.

The Walter Taylor Bridge footpath will also close. Picture: Liam Kidston

“This has clearly been in the planning for months, with the state government consulted, but residents have been given one month’s notice,’’ she said.

“Notices only went out this week to businesses and letterbox drops will be next week, although Chapel Hill residents — nowhere near the bridge — have been letterboxed.

“The alternative public transport arranged is simply not adequate, particularly for little old ladies who will have to struggle up to the train line.

“Motorists are facing a huge detour back down Oxley Rd, Cook St, 17 Mile Rocks Rd, the Centenary Mwy and coming off at the Moggill Rd exit to the roundabout.

“The Centenary Mwy is already experiencing huge delays because of the bridge duplication works there.’’

Ms Johnston said she was not questioning the need for maintenance on the bridge, which has been needed frequently in recent years.

She also said it was welcome the disruption would be in the school holidays.

But Council infrastructure Chair Andrew Wines said it was unavoidable to allow vital works including repairing joints, critical concrete repair, a full road resurface and waterproofing.

It had not happened since a two-day shutdown in 2013 and before that a 17 day shutdown in 1993.

A massive detour is facing commuters using the Walter Taylor Bridge.

“The complexity of these works mean they must be completed around the clock and the bridge cannot be in use as vibrations could jeopardise the final structural integrity of the works,’’ he said.

“Every consideration was made to minimise disruptions including coinciding the works with the school holiday period and the 50-cent public transport fare trial.’’

He said the State Government was responsible for the frequency of public transport services.

Council and the State Government have been blaming each other for more than seven years on delays to a proposal to build a duplicate Walter Taylor bridge to address steadily worsening peak hour gridlock.

The footpath on the bridge would also be shut, from later this month until September 30, with pedestrians and cyclists redirected to the Jack Pesch Bridge.

Councillor Nicole Johnston says the one-month public notification and alternative public transport options are unacceptable. Picture: AAP/Sarah Marshall

The footpath underneath the bridge on Wharf St would be shut from 9pm on September 13 to 5am on September 30.

The nearby Indooroopilly Riverwalk pedestrian link would remain open with traffic control in place during stages of the project.

Buses affected included the 598/599 Great Circle Line, 105, 106 and 108. Temporary bus stop changes would be in place.

“Police, traffic control and signage will be in place to direct motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists of changed traffic conditions,’’ a Council works notice stated.

“Nearby residents, businesses, cyclists and pedestrians will experience noise, lighting, dust and vehicle movements.

“Council thanks and values the community’s co-operation during these essential works.”