Brisbane’s iconic story bridge set for major restoration by 2040

Brisbane, May 13 (Australia India News Newsdesk)

A comprehensive roadmap to restore Brisbane’s beloved Story Bridge by its centenary in 2040 has been unveiled, with a panel of national infrastructure experts calling for urgent, sustained investment to extend the bridge’s life for another 100 years.

The Story Bridge Restoration Committee, chaired by renowned Queenslander Nigel Chamier AM, released its findings today, warning that the 85-year-old structure is nearing the end of its design life and will be unable to carry traffic within two decades without a full restoration.

“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,” said Chamier. “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.”

The Committee, which included experts in heritage infrastructure, asset management and finance, commended Brisbane City Council’s long-standing care of the bridge. Over the past 20 years, the Council has invested more than $120 million, including $80 million since 2019 on steel coatings, paint removal and major concrete and steel repairs. However, the report makes it clear that a full restoration— estimated to span 15 years—will require contributions far beyond Council’s financial capacity. To fund the ambitious works, the Committee proposed several funding models, such as joint annual contributions from all three levels of government, reintroduction of a toll, similar to the one on Sydney Harbour Bridge, or an annual rates levy or corporate sponsorship.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner emphasised that a toll or levy would only be considered as a last resort. “A levy on our residents is unacceptable given almost half the traffic that uses the Story Bridge each day comes from outside of Brisbane,” he said. “The bridge was originally built by the State Government in the 1940s and clearly the full restoration project will be beyond the means of our Council.”

“I’m confident the other levels of government will partner with us to restore the bridge and the footpaths,” the Lord Mayor added. “Just like State and National governments have invested in restoring other historic bridges across the world, it’s going to take a team effort from all levels of government to restore the Story Bridge.”

A detailed business case, co-funded with the Federal Government, is already underway to determine exact restoration costs. In the meantime, the Committee has also called for immediate work on the bridge’s deteriorating footpaths, after a post-cyclone structural assessment found more serious damage than previously thought— including water leakage and spalling concrete.

Protective netting will now be installed under the footpaths, and Council will explore deploying temporary structures to ensure pedestrian access. Major events on the footpaths have already been banned since January 2025 due to safety concerns. Plans to close a traffic lane for cyclists and pedestrians have been rejected, as Council experts warned it would cause significant congestion on key arterial roads, including the Riverside Expressway, Inner City Bypass, Wynnum Road, Gympie Road, and others.

Cr Schrinner added, “City Hall is a decade older than Story Bridge and underwent a major restoration about a decade ago, so the time is right to do the same for Story Bridge. Our Council has a strong track record of delivering complicated game-changing transport projects like the Clem7 tunnel, Kangaroo Point Bridge, Brisbane Metro and Kingsford Smith Drive, and I’m confident we can now do the same with Story Bridge.”

Chamier concluded that the Restoration Committee will continue to work alongside Council and funding partners to ensure the bridge’s safety and enduring legacy. “As the Chair of the Committee, I’ve had the benefit of drawing upon the knowledge and vast experiences of infrastructure experts… to oversee this critical project.”

Story Bridge Fast Facts

• Constructed between 1935 and 1940 by the State Government.

• Operated as a toll road until 1947, before Brisbane City Council took ownership.

• Used by more than 100,000 vehicles daily, including public transport and freight.

• 42.5% of bridge users come from outside Brisbane.