Walter Taylor Bridge works – Indooroopilly/Chelmer
Learn what Council is doing to renew and maintain the heritage-listed Walter Taylor Bridge.
About the Walter Taylor Bridge works
We’re giving the Walter Taylor Bridge a much-needed refresh to renew the towers' rendered façades. With around 32,000 daily users, it’s an important part of Brisbane’s transport network. These works will help ensure this 90-year-old heritage listed bridge continues to serve our community for decades to come.
We’ll also carry out essential maintenance works on the bridge. These works will help keep the bridge safe and reliable for everyone who uses it.
It’s all part of our ongoing efforts to care for and protect this iconic landmark.
The works will include:
- refurbishing and repairing the surface of the north (Indooroopilly) and south towers (Chelmer), including updating the protective coatings
- inspecting the bridge cables and connection points (nodes), and repairing or replacing them where needed
- checking the condition of key structural parts and identifying any signs of damage or wear.
History of Walter Taylor Bridge
The Walter Taylor Bridge has been an important part of Brisbane’s transport network since it opened on 14 February 1936. Designed by local resident Walter Taylor, it was first known as the Indooroopilly Toll Bridge. The bridge was renamed in his honour in 1956.
The bridge uses surplus suspension cables from the Sydney Harbour Bridge project. It has two steel‑reinforced concrete pylons, standing 26.5 metres on the Indooroopilly side and 38.4 metres on the Chelmer side.
The bridge is one of few in the world designed for residential living. It is the only bridge of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. The north tower was home to the Green family for more than 75 years until 2009.
The Green family managed the tolls and maintenance for the Indooroopilly Toll Bridge Limited. The bridge was then handed over to the Brisbane City Council in 1963.
Tower renewal works
The Walter Taylor Bridge is 90 years old and the façade render on both towers is in need of repairs.
What’s happening first?
We will begin with a series of further, more detailed investigations. This will help us better understand the condition of each tower and what repairs are needed. We will start with the north tower.
The investigation will allow us to determine:
- where the existing render needs to be replaced
- which areas can be repaired or simply cleaned.
To do this, scaffolding will be installed to a section of the north tower. Our specialist crews will take small samples from various parts of the façades for testing.
What happens next?
Once investigations are complete and the results are reviewed, we’ll finalise the best approach for the main works. Subject to the findings, we expect the main works on the north tower to begin in mid-2026.
Works on the south tower will commence following the completion of the north tower.
Timeline
Investigations and trial works.
North tower renewal.
South tower renewal.
Essential maintenance works
Node and cable investigations and repairs
We’ll be carrying out important work to repair and restore some the bridge’s nodes and cables. The nodes are the steel connections between the cables and the truss. They will be de-tensioned for cleaning and maintenance, then re-tensioned once complete.
During short periods of tensioning, the bridge will need to be closed to vehicles to keep everyone safe.
We’ll share more detailed timing and information about community impacts as the project progresses.
Detailed bridge inspection
A team of trained inspectors will undertake a detailed condition inspection of the Walter Taylor Bridge. They will identify any damage and confirm compliance with safety standards.
The findings will inform future maintenance plans.
What this means for you
We’ll use best practice methods and carefully plan the works to minimise disruption. Works will be scheduled at night and on weekends where possible, although some impacts to the community may still occur.
We will continue to keep the community updated on traffic and pedestrian detours and construction impacts as the works progress.
Resources and more information
Download the current newsletter about the works:
Contact information
If you have questions regarding the Walter Taylor Bridge maintenance works or would like to sign up for email updates, you can:
- phone the project team on 07 3178 5413 (during business hours)
- phone Council on 07 3403 8888 (after hours)
- email Council
- register for project updates
- write to:
Walter Taylor Bridge Project team
Brisbane City Council
GPO Box 1434
Brisbane Qld 4001.