New Bribie Island Bridge a step closer to reality

The summary business case for a new Bribie Island bridge has been released by the Crisafulli Labor Government, taking this vital infrastructure a step closer to being built. 

The business case states that the existing bridge is structurally sound and suitable to carry traffic however, there is still a need to improve access to Bribie Island and address the increasing safety issues experienced due to the old narrow, two-way bridge. 

This is part of the current State Government’s commitment to future-proofing and ensuring Queensland roads are reliable and safe to get people home sooner. 

“The Crisafulli Government is not going to wait for the Bribie Island Bridge to have a capacity crisis, and safety is our number one focus. 

“We are committed to the delivery of a new bridge to Bribie Island, and we are pleased to release a summary of the business case. 

“We will now consider the assessment and timeframes for funding, detailed design, and construction,” Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg said. 

Project map (source: QLD Department of Transport and Main Roads)

The proposed key features of the project include: 

• New two-lane eastbound traffic bridge with road shoulders and separated active transport path 

• Existing bridge to provide two westbound traffic lanes 

• Crossing points on the roads that approach the bridges to transfer traffic between the bridges if required 

• Improves resilience due to the ability to manage incidents or maintenance by running two-way traffic on either bridge is required 

• Sylvan Beach Esplanade intersection realigned to provide safer turns 

• Widening Caboolture-Bribie Island Road to four lanes from Bestmann Road East to Benabrow Avenue 

• Traffic signals at Sandstone Point Hotel access 

• Active transport path connections on the island and the mainland 

• Pelican perches that overhang the water on both bridges 

The new bridge will be designed to allow for future widening to four lanes with an active transport path in the long term when the existing structure is no longer cost-effective to maintain. 

The State’s Department of Transport and Main Roads received more than 4,000 comments during the community consultation, which was held in two phases – in early 2023 to assist development of a concept plan and in early 2024 to comment on the proposed concept design. 

“We’ve long recognised the difficulties our residents, businesses, and visitors experience when incidents occur on the existing bridge, causing lane closures and delays. 

“A future upgrade is needed to improve access to Bribie Island, and it is reassuring to know that the existing bridge has the structural integrity to continue to carry traffic for the forseeable future. 

“Working with the City of Moreton Bay will also be very important to plan for the interface with the local road network on Bribie Island,” Member for Pumicestone Ariana Doolan said. 

Source: Queensland Government – Media Statements; Queensland Government – Department of Transport and Main Roads; Roads & Infrastructure Australia; Infrastructure Magazine