Bradfield Highway at Kangaroo Point will face 11 days of traffic disruptions in April as Brisbane carries out essential maintenance on the Story Bridge, including a 16-hour full closure of the 85-year-old structure.
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Closures on the Story Bridge and Bradfield Highway are scheduled from 9pm Thursday, 2 April to 5am Monday, 13 April 2026, covering a combination of single-lane closures and a complete bridge shutdown. The full closure runs from 9pm Saturday, 11 April to 1pm Sunday, 12 April. BCC has timed the works to coincide with the Easter school holiday period, when traffic volumes are typically lower, and with the planned bridge closure for the Tour de Brisbane cycling event.
BCC reports the bridge handles more than 100,000 vehicle movements daily, in addition to roughly 4,000 pedestrians and cyclists, and is classified as part of the national highway network.
Cr Ryan Murphy, Chair of Infrastructure for BCC, has indicated the current round of maintenance is expected to cost approximately $5 million. Works include concrete slab repairs under the road deck, not visible to road users, as well as general bridge inspections and minor maintenance.
Senior Engineer Guy Connew has outlined additional works covering joint and drain cleaning, steel wash-downs to prevent contaminant build-up, and servicing of the bridge’s thousands of individual greasing points.
The April maintenance works are distinct from the longer-term Story Bridge Restoration project, which remains in the business case development phase. BCC’s website indicates full restoration works are not expected to begin until 2028, subject to funding. A $4.6 million business case is currently being developed jointly with federal authorities, with Cr Murphy advising it is around 70 per cent complete. BCC expects to present it to the federal authorities and Infrastructure Australia by June 2026, after which it will be made public.
The Story Bridge’s footpaths were closed in March 2025 due to safety and structural concerns, though BCC has since completed new footpath decking works, with both footpaths now open. Over the past two decades, Brisbane has invested more than $120 million in maintenance on the structure.
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During the April closure period, the eastern footpath will also face temporary night-time closures, with detour signage in place to direct pedestrians, cyclists, and e-mobility riders. Residents planning travel during this period are advised to use the QLDTraffic app, visit qldtraffic.qld.gov.au, or phone 13 19 40 to check conditions before heading out.
Published 26-March-2026
