Victoria Bridge closure to general traffic

Brisbane City Council is committed to expanding and improving our city’s active and public transport networks to provide more options for Brisbane residents, visitors and commuters. As part of Council’s plan to deliver improved public realm and active transport connection, Council has been planning to close the Victoria Bridge to general traffic since early 2016.

Strategic direction

Council’s strategic direction for the inner city is to reduce congestion in the city centre by facilitating a high-capacity network that enables through traffic to bypass the inner city area, improving accessibility within the CBD.

Council’s Transport Plan for Brisbane - Strategic Directions identifies that the density of development, the integrated mix of land use activities, the convergence of the city’s public transport systems and the walking and cycling facilities along the Brisbane River provide a unique opportunity to develop a sustainable transport network within the inner city area that isn't dependent on cars. 

Instead, it focuses on developing efficient cross-city road links to reduce the need for trips through the CBD and inner city, while investing in high-speed, high-capacity, 'turn up and go' mass-transit on rail, busway and metro trunk networks, which are the most effective way for moving large numbers of people to employment areas such as the CBD, inner city and major activity centres. Destination access for vehicles visiting the CBD and inner city for work and leisure is maintained.

In line with this direction, the closure of Victoria Bridge to general traffic will facilitate both the Brisbane Metro project and CityLink Cycleway trial to increase the capacity of both public and active transport to and from the city centre.

About the Victoria Bridge closure to general traffic

Changes at the intersection of William Street, North Quay and Victoria Bridge and the intersection of Melbourne Street and Grey Street are redirecting general traffic away from the bridge. 

This also means that traffic using Stanley Street outside QPAC can longer access the street via Melbourne Street. Instead, traffic entering or exiting the carparks in Stanley Street will need to use the Peel Street and Grey Street intersection. 

Council has undertaken early works to upgrade several intersections in South Brisbane, including Peel Street and Grey Street, and in the city centre to accommodate redirected traffic from Victoria Bridge.

Temporary signage is in place to assist motorists following the closure of the bridge to general traffic. Changes to permanent directional signage will ensure traffic is directed appropriately.

Alternate routes to the city 

There is no prescribed detour between South Brisbane and the CBD. We encourage you to choose the connection that best suits your journey.

Nearby river crossings that connect the CBD to South Brisbane include the William Jolly Bridge and Captain Cook Bridge. Other river crossings including the Go Between Bridge and Story Bridge also provide connections between the inner city and the suburbs.

View the Alternate routes to the city (Word - 208kb).

Go Between Bridge toll credit scheme

To help alleviate the construction impacts associated with major projects in the area, Brisbane City Council is investing in a toll credit scheme for use on Brisbane’s Go Between Bridge for local residents.

Residents and tenants of 4101-suburb including South Brisbane, Highgate Hill and West End will be eligible to apply for a Linkt tolling credit for use on the Go Between Bridge. The toll credit scheme will be available for eligible applicants over the 2021 to 2024 calendar years.

For more information about this scheme, including how to apply, please visit the Go Between Bridge toll credit scheme page. 

Frequently asked questions

Why is Council closing Victoria Bridge to general traffic?

In line with the strategic vision for the inner city, and as part of Council’s plan to deliver improved public realm and active transport connections, Council has been planning to close the Victoria Bridge to general traffic since early 2016.

Closing the bridge to general traffic will facilitate delivery of the Brisbane Metro project, with significantly improved public transport access to the CBD and inner city areas.

In addition to three lanes for Metro and bus services, the reconfigured Victoria Bridge will include a separated two-way bikeway between North Quay and Grey Street, initially delivered as part of the CityLink Cycleway trial in early 2021.

When is Council closing Victoria Bridge to general traffic?

Victoria Bridge is closed to general traffic as of 8pm on Sunday 24 January 2021.

Why is Council closing Victoria Bridge to general traffic now?

Since identifying the Victoria Bridge would be converted to a green bridge, the closure of the bridge to general traffic has been planned for 2021. 

Scheduling the closure in January 2021 was a strategic choice to reduce the immediate impact of the closure by making the change before many people have resettled into their routine and while general traffic is comparably less than normal volumes. 

The closure will enable Council to extend the CityLink Cycleway trial bikeway facility from William Street across the Victoria Bridge to Grey Street in early 2021. This will provide enhanced active transport links between the CBD and South Brisbane.

Closure of the bridge will also facilitate the construction of this section of the Brisbane Metro, programmed to commence in mid to late 2021.

What does general traffic include – will taxis and rideshare vehicles be able to use the Victoria Bridge?

General traffic includes all non-public transport vehicles, including private cars, motorcycles, commercial coaches, taxis, and rideshare vehicles.

The bridge will still carry buses in the busway bus lanes, and footpaths will remain open to pedestrians, cyclists and other footpath users. 

Following the works described above, a new dedicated bikeway will separate cyclist movements, and once the Brisbane Metro project is complete, the bridge will also carry metro vehicles. 

What are the alternate routes?

There is no prescribed detour between South Brisbane and the CBD. We encourage you to choose the connection that best suits your journey.

Nearby river crossings include the William Jolly Bridge, Captain Cook Bridge and Go Between Bridge. Find out more about alternate routes.

How much longer will it take me to cross the river now there will be additional congestion on these alternate routes?

Modelling suggests over the long-term, delays to the network will see an additional 5 minutes of travel time. Initially, delays may be longer (possibly up to 20 minutes) as people adjust and try new routes or other travel options. 

What about emergency access?

Emergency vehicles are permitted to use busway facilities in emergencies, so access for emergency vehicles across Victoria Bridge will remain.

While closed to all other traffic, emergency vehicles are permitted to use Stanley Street and Melbourne Street to connect between the river side of QPAC and Grey Street. 

How will I access the car park at QPAC now?

You can access the QPAC carparks in Stanley Street via the Peel Street and Grey Street intersection. 

Recent upgrades to this intersection have improved capacity and efficiency for traffic entering and exiting the carparks for major events.

Background

Removal of general traffic from Victoria Bridge represents a unique opportunity to provide a prioritised public and active transport corridor, connecting the CBD and South Brisbane. As part of Council's plan to deliver improved public realm and active transport connection, Victoria Bridge has been planned to be closed to general traffic since early 2016.

Major transport projects such as Brisbane Metro and Cross River Rail will also help to reduce congestion across the road network by improving the capacity and performance of the rail and bus network, encouraging more travel by public transport.

Council acknowledges this change will affect people in different ways and is undertaking a program of community engagement and awareness building to ensure you can make changes to your journey prior to the bridge closing to general traffic.