Much-needed Bremer River Bridge upgrades now underway

Major works to upgrade Bremer River Bridge on the Warrego Highway in Queensland are now underway alongside the unveiling of a rehabilitation plan.

For the first time, locals have a clearer picture of the long-term targeted rehabilitation of the bridge, which will strengthen the structure and restore it to its full functionality. The design also avoids the prolonged traffic disruption of more invasive options by completing works from underneath the bridge.

Project design follows detailed investigations undertaken after restrictions on the bridge were imposed in 2023. The final solution balances safety, durability and traffic flow.

Key features of the project include:

• Installing additional edge girders and cross girders
• Replacing fatigue-prone welded connections with bolted steel plates
• Repairing welds on approach span piers
• Resurfacing the bridge deck
• Upgrading the bridge safety barrier
• Retaining existing bridge decks to minimise traffic impacts during construction

“The necessary work has been done and it’s good news for the local community that there is now a solid plan and a positive way forward to repair the Bremer River Bridge.

“This bridge is a vital artery for the region and the national freight network, with about 32,000 vehicles crossing the Bremer River westbound bridge every day.

“This bridge is vital for tens of thousands of commuters who I’m sure will be relieved to see speed restrictions removed once the works are complete,” Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said.

“The community has been clear they want traffic flowing again, and this is how we make that happen.

“We have landed the right solution to fix Bremer River Bridge, after speed limits were imposed almost three years ago.

“The plan we are now delivering is sensible and pragmatic.

“It will fix the problem without causing unnecessary delays for commuters, respects taxpayers’ money, lifts speed restrictions and delivers decades more life from this bridge,” QLD Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg said.

Project plan (source: QLD Department of Tranasport and Main Roads)

Originally, the plan was to redeck the entire bridge and this option would have closed the bridge for up to six months and cause significant delays for commuters.

Strengthening works are now being carried out on the westbound bridge, and this is a major step forward to returning traffic conditions back to normal on one of southeast Queensland’s busiest road links.

Once the rehabilitation of Bremer River Bridge is completed, the current speed restriction in both directions will be removed and the life of the structure will be extended by decades to keep freight and commuters moving along the Warrego Highway.

The Bremer River Bridge project is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments, each contributing $42.5 million.

“The Bremer River Bridge is a vital connection along the Warrego Highway, so this is good news for commuters and other motorists in my electorate of Blair.

“Moving ahead with this upgrade and removing speed restrictions will ensure local residents spend less time on the road, and can get to work and home sooner.

“It will also help many heavy vehicles transporting freight across the Bremer River westbound bridge to get supplies to markets along the eastern seaboard.

“The Australian and Queensland Governments secured the funding for this project back in 2024, and I am pleased that we now have a clear plan in place to fast-track the repairs and minimise disruptions to motorists so we can get traffic flowing again,” Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann said.

“The original plan for redecking would have seen the bridge close for up to six months and would have been totally unworkable for our community.

“The new plan to fix Bremer River Bridge, without closing it, is a sensible and pragmatic way to boost productivity by keeping people and produce moving between the Darling Downs and Brisbane, while delivering the infrastructure Queensland needs,” Assistant Minister to the Premier for Cabinet and South West Queensland Trevor Watts said.

Source: Queensland Government – Media Statements; Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; Queensland Government – Department of Transport and Main Roads