An independent team of national infrastructure experts has outlined a 15-year roadmap to restore the 85-year-old Story Bridge in time for its centenary in 2040.
Read: Toll Considered as Story Bridge Faces Expensive Restoration
The plan, outlined in a Committee Report, aims to address the wear and tear that naturally occurs in ageing infrastructure and to ensure the iconic structure remains safe and fully operational well into the next century.
The Story Bridge Restoration Committee, chaired by respected Queensland heritage advocate Nigel Chamier AM, was formed to assess the bridge’s condition and provide a long-term strategy. Drawing from years of experience, including leading restorations of Brisbane City Hall and ANZAC Square, Mr Chamier described the task ahead as vital and complex.
“Despite regular maintenance and renewal work by Council, significant investment is needed to restore this iconic structure to ensure it remains safe and operational for another century,” Mr Chamier said.
Constructed between 1935 and 1940, the Story Bridge carries over 100,000 vehicles per day, linking the northern and southern sides of the city. About 42.5 per cent of its daily users travel from outside Brisbane, highlighting the bridge’s regional importance beyond its central location.
Over the past two decades, Brisban has spent more than $120 million maintaining the bridge, including $80 million since 2019 on critical steel and concrete repairs and protective coatings. But experts warn that more substantial restoration is now necessary.
“Restoring the Story Bridge will be challenging, particularly when it comes to securing funding and the necessary resources to ensure critical restoration works can be delivered in the coming years,” Mr Chamier said. “As the Chair of the Committee, I’ve had the benefit of drawing upon the knowledge and vast experiences of infrastructure experts in bridge engineering, asset management and major project financing and delivery.”
While the future funding model for the project remains under development, Brisbane has already partnered with the Federal Government to prepare a detailed business case that will determine final restoration costs. The Committee recommended long-term contributions from local, state, and federal levels, with options such as tolls or levies considered only if necessary.
In the short term, the Committee also called for urgent work on the bridge’s two footpath structures, which were found to be in worse condition than previously thought. Following structural assessments conducted after Tropical Cyclone Alfred, engineers identified concrete spalling and water leakage beneath the paths. Protective netting will be installed, and a temporary structure may be added to one side ahead of a full restoration.
Events on the footpaths have been suspended since January 2025, and pedestrians and cyclists have been redirected via the Kangaroo Point Green Bridge. While detour options are being explored, closing a traffic lane on the Story Bridge for shared pedestrian use has been ruled out due to the potential for widespread disruption on nearby roads and motorways.
The Story Bridge holds a unique place in Queensland’s history. Originally operated as a toll road, it has stood as a vital transport link and a piece of architectural heritage since the 1940s.
Read: Kangaroo Point Landmark, Story Bridge, Launches Inclusive Climb Experience
“The Restoration Committee will continue to support Council and its funding partners to oversee this critical project to ensure the bridge’s safety, functionality, and enduring legacy is preserved for future generations,” Mr Chamier said.
As Brisbane grows and transforms, the careful restoration of the Story Bridge is not just about maintaining infrastructure—it’s about honouring the past while building for the future.
Published 19-May-2025
