Story Bridge restoration - Kangaroo Point

Structural protective coating (painting) systems are critical for ensuring the steel truss elements are maintained in a structurally sound condition. Over the bridge’s lifetime, various paint systems have been applied. However, the original paint system, comprising of a red lead primer and chlorinated rubber topcoats still cover a significant portion of the bridge. The Story Bridge Restoration Project involves the blasting to remove the old coatings, and repainting of the steel warren truss by a specialist painting team.

The new coating system being used on the bridge will provide far better protection than what’s currently there, minimising future maintenance needs and extending the life of our iconic bridge.

Works to remove the old coating system and apply the new coat will generally be undertaken between 7am and 5pm, Monday to Friday and less impactful works such as painting may be carried out on a Saturday between 7am and 4pm.

While every effort is made to minimise impacts, including the extensive use of noise matting and an encapsulation system with air filtration, due to the nature of these works if you are close to the work site you may experience some increased noise and potential odour from the works.

Council is undertaking strengthening works to replace corroded steel plates and fixings.

Some works are required to be undertaken at night, when traffic on the Story Bridge is lowest. These night works will be undertaken intermittently between 8pm and 5am Sunday to Thursday.

Every effort will be made to minimise impacts to local residents and businesses, properties in close proximity to the works. However, there may be noise while steel components and fixings are replaced, and some increased lighting when night works occur.

A critical aspect of safe delivery of these works includes a scaffolding encapsulation system to contain any emissions and maintain a safe working environment. The Story Bridge Restoration Project will fully encapsulate and complete each span of the warren truss individually.

The underside of the bridge is “shrink-wrapped” in a heat activated plastic containment design to minimise dust from escaping the work area. Within this wrapping is a carefully constructed, multi-levelled maze of scaffolding and platforms to enable workers to access the steel trusses. Inside the encapsulation is also acoustic panelling to reduce noise from the blasting operations, and ventilation and filtration equipment to further capture particulates from the work.

While the majority of works are being carried out within a scaffolding encapsulation system, Council is undertaking environmental monitoring throughout the project as a precautionary measure and to ensure compliance with standards. 

As part of the environmental monitoring process, several air quality monitors have been installed around the project site to monitor the concentration of airborne particulate matter in the atmosphere. 

While each device is fitted with an exhaust muffler to reduce noise emissions, some noise may still be heard coming from the device when in close proximity.

Council is undertaking the majority of the restoration works within a specialised, airtight scaffolding encapsulation system that has been designed to contain and remove emissions and waste products generated during the pressure washing, sand blasting and coating works.

Residents and businesses in close proximity to the project site will experience increased noise from these works and some periodic odour from the encapsulation system’s air filtration system.

The project team will endeavour to minimise disruption and inconvenience to the local community during these works.

The majority of works will be carried out during the day, between 7am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. Less impactful works such as painting may be carried out on a Saturday between 7am and 4pm.

Some works are required to be undertaken at night, when traffic on the Story Bridge is lowest. These night works will be undertaken intermittently between 8pm and 5am Sunday to Thursday,

A site compound has been established in Captain Burke Park directly beneath the Story Bridge, between the bridge piers. This area has been fenced, with the rest of the park available to the community.

This compound will be used as a lay-down area to store equipment and materials for the restoration project and other upcoming maintenance projects planned for the bridge.