Story Bridge renewal

The Story Bridge is an ageing asset. While it has been well maintained, ageing assets require renewal to extend their operational lives.

The bridge was built in the 1940's for a very different Brisbane. Today, heavier vehicles are placing far greater demands on the structure than in its early operating years. The bridge now carries around 10 times more daily traffic than it did when it first opened, including modern cars, buses, freight and commercial vehicles, some weighing up to 42.5 tonnes.

Further detailed analysis and condition assessments have shown that ongoing maintence activities will not be sufficient. The Story Bridge requires a full renewal so it can continue serving South East Queensland for another 100 years.

Bridge maintenance is routine work done regularly to keep a bridge in good condition and avoid bigger issues. Bridge renewal is major work carried out when a bridge is nearing the end of its life, involving significant upgrades to extend its use.

In addition to ongoing maintenance activities, we began renewal works in 2020 to repair and strengthen the bridge. Works included abrasive blasting of all coatings, new protective coating of steel and extensive concrete and steel repairs.

These works maintained the structural integrity and heritage of the iconic bridge. Works also ensured the local road network continued to be safe and accessible for everyone.

However, the works and further engineering assessments revealed more comprehensive renewal works are required.

Business case investigations indicate that replacing the Story Bridge with a new structure is not a practical or realistic alternative to renewal.

Notwithstanding the heritage status of the Story Bridge, in a built-up inner-city environment a new bridge solution would create major challenges for alignment, property impacts, timing, cost and transport network.

The cost of a new bridge would also be significantly higher than renewing the existing bridge. The cost of decommissioning the Story Bridge alone is estimated at $740 million.

Keeping the bridge safe and operating until 2033 would still require a further $102 million in interim works and operating costs which would be ineffective if the bridge were then replaced. However, by this point renewal may no longer be a viable scenario due to deterioration progressing to a point where it is beyond saving, forcing the need for a costly new bridge.

Building a new bridge on the same constrained inner-city alignment could cost more than $8.5 billion.

Current business case work indicates the total cost to undertake the full Story Bridge renewal project over a 20-year period is expected to be in the order of $3.6 billion.

The figure reflects the complex nature of major heritage infrastructure projects and the scale of works likely to be required over the life of the program to renew, protect and preserve the bridge. It allows for a staged approach that balances engineering need, heritage considerations and the practical realities of delivering work on a live transport asset.

In comparison, the cost to build a new bridge would be more than double this cost. Alternatively, the cost of doing nothing would significantly increase congestion on Brisbane’s road network and reliance on toll roads.

With 43% of bridge users from outside of Brisbane, it's not just up to Council to fund this important project. A full renewal needs to be funded by all levels of government. This aligns with other bridges around the country and the world, that are similar in age, size and scale to the Story Bridge.

We are getting on with the job of renewing the Story Bridge, and backing its future with a $135 million investment through to 2032 to deliver the priority works needed.

However, we need Queensland Government and Australian Government support to fund this once-in-a-century renewal.