Story Bridge – Preserving a National Icon
A roadmap to restore the Story Bridge by 2040 has been outlined by a team of national infrastructure experts.
The Story Bridge Restoration Committee, chaired by prominent Queenslander Nigel Chamier AM, found the 85-year-old bridge was approaching the end of its design life.
The independent Committee commended Council’s stewardship of the bridge and found, like all ageing infrastructure, it now requires significant restoration work over the next 15 years.
Along with Mr Chamier, who led the restorations of Brisbane City Hall and ANZAC Square, the Committee included independent advisors with expertise in heritage infrastructure, asset management and finance.
The Committee found Council had invested more than $120 million in the Story Bridge over the past 20 years, which was in addition to spending around $3 million a year to maintain the bridge over the long term.
This included almost $80 million since 2019 to restore and prolong the bridge’s life, including stripping back old paint, applying new protective steel coatings and extensive concrete and steel repairs.
The Committee found the bridge would not be able to carry traffic within 20 years without a full restoration.
The Committee confirmed the cost would be beyond the means of Council and recommended a number of funding models, including:
- annual joint contributions over a 15-year restoration project by the Queensland and Australian governments and Council; or
- the reintroduction of a toll like that in place on Sydney Harbour Bridge; or
- an annual rates levy and corporate sponsorship
Council will now seek a joint funding partnership with the State and Federal governments.
A toll or levy will only be considered as a last resort. A toll or levy should only be considered if we can’t get a joint long-term agreement from both the State and Federal governments; a levy on our residents is unacceptable given almost half the traffic that uses the Story Bridge each day comes from outside of Brisbane.
A detailed business case, funded in partnership with the Federal Government, is already underway to determine the restoration costs.
The Committee found the restoration would require a sustained investment over the next 15 years to fully restore the Story Bridge in time for its 100th birthday in 2040.
The Committee also recommended the immediate restoration of the Story Bridge’s two separate footpath structures.
The recommendation comes after an extensive, detailed structural assessment undertaken following Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
Major events on the footpaths have been prohibited since January 2025 following previous expert advice.
The new assessment found sections of the paths were worse than previous reports had identified and, for the first time, revealed evidence of water leaking through the concrete.
Council will now install protective netting beneath the footpaths due to spalling.
Council will also investigate deploying a temporary structure on one path ahead of the full restoration of both.
Along with the existing detour for cyclists and pedestrians using the Kangaroo Point Bridge, other detour options will be considered.
Planned work on the City Reach Boardwalk will be postponed to accommodate the existing detour.
Closing a traffic lane on the bridge for cyclists and pedestrians has been ruled out.
According to Council experts, it would require the closure of two lanes and cause widespread daily traffic issues on the Riverside Expressway, the Inner City Bypass, Wynnum Road, Gympie Road and Stanley and Vulture streets as well as other roads across the network.
The cost and timing of the footpath works will now be determined.
The Story Bridge is an icon and I’m sure all Queenslanders and all Australians will support its full restoration so it can continue to operate for another 100 years.
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.
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.
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.”
Story Bridge Restoration Committee Chair, Nigel Chamier AM said –
“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.
“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.
“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.
“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.”
Story Bridge National Icon fast facts
- The Story Bridge was originally built by the State Government between 1935 and 1940.
- The bridge operated as a toll road until 1947 when Council took on ownership of the bridge.
- More than 100,000 passenger, public transport and freight vehicles on average used Story Bridge each day.
- About 42.5 per cent of Story Bridge trips are taken by users from outside Brisbane.
Story Bridge Restoration – Preserving a National Icon – BCC Story Bridge Restoration Committee Report – May 2025