Footpaths on the Story Bridge to remain closed for weeks

Footpaths on the Story Bridge will remain shut for at least the next few weeks – and a lengthy suggested detour directs people to a path that is also closed.

The east and west Story Bridge footpaths, a popular route for cyclists, e-scooter riders and pedestrians, were closed almost two weeks ago on March 5 as Cyclone Alfred approached.

A notice on the Brisbane City Council website says they are “closed until further notice”.

The Story Bridge footpaths were closed on March 5 and there is no date for them to be reopened.

Councillor Andrew Wines, the council’s infrastructure chair, said engineers would continue to assess the footpaths “for damage following tropical cyclone Alfred over the next few weeks”.

“While we recognise this will inconvenience some people, safety must be the top priority.”

To avoid the detour, at least one e-scooter rider was spotted riding across the six-lane bridge amid heavy traffic, which is illegal.

The detour is lengthy, which would be unfeasible for someone on foot, and it directs people to a closed path in the CBD.

Last year, Brisbane City Council revealed photos showing the extent of rust and corrosion on the bridge, as it asked for $4 million from the federal government.

In February, the federal government pledged $2.25 million towards a business case for repairs.

At a press conference, Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the footpaths were closed before the cyclone so people walking across were not exposed to high winds and rain.

“But what we’ve done is we’ve used the opportunity now, because we have money from the federal government to progress our business case and restoration plan,” he said.

“As part of that work, we need to do technical assessments on various parts of the bridge.

“The footpath is the first place that we’re doing testing and assessments on – we need the footpath to be closed while we do those assessments.

“So we’re just taking the opportunity now to keep it closed for a little bit longer so that we can do the testing, and then we can get on with the process beyond that.”

Schrinner was asked why both paths were closed at the same time, but he did not answer.

“We’re doing testing on both sides,” he said.

Signs suggest people detour via the Kangaroo Point Bridge and City Riverwalk to travel to the city, Fortitude Valley or New Farm.

However, the Riverwalk between One Eagle and Riparian Plaza is closed to pedestrians, cyclists and scooter riders until late 2025 during the construction of Waterfront Brisbane.

More than 100,000 vehicles cross the Story Bridge each day, and up to 1800 cyclists and 3400 pedestrians used the footpaths daily in 2023 – the most recent statistics available.

Brisbane CBD BUG co-convenor Paul French called for a traffic lane to be temporarily partitioned off with barriers for walkers and riders, similar to the arrangement on Coronation Drive when the former Drift restaurant blocked the Bicentennial Bikeway in 2022.

The Story Bridge footpaths, when they were still open.

“The detour is ridiculous – it’s 2.5 kilometres, so people walking just can’t do that,” he said.

“People cycling or scootering – they’ll have to take to the road in the CBD.

“If it’s going to be closed for weeks, then they can act now and close a lane for cyclists and pedestrians.”

Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.