New Farm swing bridge repairs

Brisbane City Council is repairing the electrical control system for the New Farm swing bridge.

Project summary

This table provides summary information about the Kooringal Drive bridge replacement project including address, ward, project outcomes and latest update.
Address	New Farm Riverwalk at Riverview Court, New Farm
Ward	Central
Project outcomes	Repair the control system for the New Farm swing bridge
Latest update	Additional repairs and testing

Riverwalk intermittently closed in late October 2023

We will be undertaking additional testing of the bridge from Monday 23 October 2023 for up to one week, weather and site conditions permitting.

To facilitate testing after repair works, the riverwalk at the swing bridge will be intermittently closed for periods of up to 30 minutes, between 9am and 3pm.

This is being completed when traffic volumes are lower to ensure the safety of bikeway users and workers, and to minimise disruptions.

Please be aware that if any unexpected issues occur during testing, the pathway may need to remain closed for longer than expected until the system is repaired.

A detour will be in place via Moray Street, Bowen Terrace, and Ivory Street. Alternative pedestrian access to Howard Smith Wharves is also available via the eastern lift on Bowen Terrace. For further information refer to detour map.

About the project

The New Farm swing bridge connects the New Farm Riverwalk with the pathway along Riverview Court and provides access to the Brisbane River for nearby properties.

The electrical control system experienced issues after the February 2022 severe weather event and required replacement to ensure the bridge operates successfully in the future.

These works will ensure this critical connection along the New Farm Riverwalk continues to operate successfully as a key active transport link for residents, commuters and visitors.

Upcoming works

We recently repaired and upgraded most of the swing bridge electrical control system. During our testing works for the new system, we identified additional repairs that are required. We also need to replace some existing light fittings on the bridge handrails.

We will provide advance notice of this closure via onsite signage closer to the date so you can plan your trip.

What does this mean for me?

If you live in or travel through the area, you may:

experience delays when testing is underway and the swing bridge is open
see contractors on the riverwalk and notice construction vehicles in the area
notice increased noise during works.

A traffic controller will be in place at the Howard Smith Wharves end of the riverwalk to give people advance warning before each intermittent closure period.

Interim detours

When the new electrical system is being commissioned, the swing bridge will be opened and access via the riverwalk will be closed for a short period of time. The below detour will be in place via nearby local streets during closures.

Supporting information

This image illustrates a map of the detour route that can be used to travel between Howard Smith Wharves, the Story Bridge and City Reach Boardwalk and New Farm, whilst the New Farm Swing Bridge is closed. The map is north-facing and displays the Brisbane River with Fortitude Valley to the north, Kangaroo Point to the south, and New Farm to the east. An arrow pointing west on the left of the map points to Brisbane CBD.

The Story Bridge connecting to Main Street runs north to south on the map. Howard Smith Wharves is shown in pink underneath the Story Bridge. The City Reach Boardwalk runs along the river towards the CBD from Howard Smith Wharves. In the north-west of the map, is Boundary Street and Ivory Lane, which connects to the Story Bridge and Howard Smith Wharves. Bowen Terrace runs from the Story Bridge to the east of the map. Moray Street runs south from Bowen Terrace, connecting to Merthyr Road in the south-east of the map. Dodwell Lane runs west from Moray Street just before Merthyr Road. It connects with Maxwell Street which then connects with Riverview Court at the end of Merthyr Road. Between Riverview Court and Howard Smith Wharves is the New Farm Riverwalk. At the southern end of the riverwalk near Riverview Court, marked in red, is the swing bridge.

The detour route, displayed in purple, starts from the swing bridge, running along Riverview Court before turning left in a north-westerly direction along the whole length of Maxwell Street and then right into Dodwell Lane to connect into Moray Street. An alternative route starts from Riverview Court but continues along Merthyr Road before turning left into Moray Street, which runs parallel with Maxwell Street. It then continues along Moray Street to Bowen Terrace, then travelling underneath the Story Bridge to Ivory Lane and then Boundary Street, where it meets with Howard Smith Wharves and the City Reach Boardwalk.

More information

For more information or to ask questions about open drainage works you can:

phone the project team on 1800 884 681 (during business hours)
phone Council on 07 3403 8888 (after hours)
email the project team.

Last updated: 20 October 2023