Long-awaited Bribie Island bridge upgrade inches closer

A business case to upgrade the Bribie Island bridge has begun, a year shy of the bridge’s 60th birthday and after a decade of promises. But here’s why you shouldn’t hold your breath for building work to start.

A fix for the overburdened Bribie Island bridge has edged closer as the structure comes up to its 60th anniversary.

State Transport Minister, Mark Bailey, announced a $4 million business case for an upgrade had begun after a decade of promises to upgrade the narrow, two-lane structure.

But the business case, conducted by consultancy AECOM, won’t be ready until mid-2024 and funding to start work on a new bridge has not been confirmed, with the project having to compete against other priorities across the state.

It has been plagued by a number of major accidents in recent years and a surge in usage by mainlanders keen for a beach experience, while trying to avoid traffic on the Bruce Hwy.

Covid, which had until recently forced people to take vacations closer to home, has also increased usage.

A three-car crash on the bridge. The island is cut off every time there is a serious accident.

The business case was part of the Bribie Island Road Upgrade Strategy and would “build on’’ a 2014 study which identified options for a bridge corridor to the north and south of the existing crossing.

There would be public consultation to confirm a preferred option and allow early design work to start.

TMR said a new structure would improve safety and reliability for road users, but stressed that recent inspections had confirmed the existing bridge, opened in 1963, was structurally safe and had been properly maintained.

Pumicestone MP, Ali King, said the business case was an important step.

“Today’s announcement is so important to our Bribie community because it means

we are one step closer to a new bridge,’’ she said.

“With strong local growth comes more pedestrian, bike and commuter traffic than

ever before, so we need this link to keep Bribie Island moving.”

Mr Bailey said a new bridge would make travel to the Island safer, more reliable and better cater for active transport, which we know is booming in the area.

“AECOM will build on previous projects that considered corridor options, confirm a

preferred option and begin early design activities,’’ he said.

Ms King said the community would have a big role in the business case.

“I know how passionate locals are about our community and our road and transport

network, which is why consultation will be so important,” she said.

“We need an option that is fit for purpose and meets the needs of Bribie Islanders.

“I encourage community members to engage with the project and have a say when

the time comes.”

Turtles, including the endangered loggerhead, nest on the island’s ocean beach.

Many locals have been pushing for action for more than a decade, although environmentalists were concerned a better crossing would increase 4WD traffic on the ocean beach which was home to breeding turtles and sea birds.

In April last year a petition calling to restrict 4WD access to Bribie Island’s beaches attracted about 15,000 signatures.

Recently a 24-hour number plate-recognition system was installed to monitor all vehicles accessing the beach.

Premier Frank Nicklin pays the first Bribie Bridge toll with a 10 shilling note. Picture: Queensland State Archives

Funding for construction of the new bridge would be considered in future funding rounds, but would have to compete against other transport infrastructure priorities across the state.

The bridge has been a perennial election issue, with the LNP promising in 2020 to spend about $3 million on concept planning for a new crossing as part of a $20 million package of works to upgrade Bribie Island Rd.

In 2014, a TMR concept plan recommended that a new four-lane bridge with a wide footpath be constructed 15m north of the existing structure, at a (then) estimated cost of $150 million.

Later that year, a report by consultants GHD, commissioned by the Department, forecast that the bridge would reach “practical capacity” by 2031 during the peak period (Sunday afternoons).

The report said a predicted 37 per cent increase in houses in the Moreton area by 2031 might also result in the existing bridge approaching capacity during the weekday afternoon peak.

In December, 2015, the State Government bought land on both sides of the existing bridge for a future crossing.