One step closer to a second bridge

By Sheree Hoddinett 

It’s been a long time in the making, but it seems we’re getting closer to seeing a new bridge for Bribie Island. 

Setting the wheels in motion was the release of the summary business case in late April, moving this important piece of infrastructure one step closer to construction. A new two-lane bridge for eastbound traffic and a dedicated active transport path is proposed, with the existing bridge providing two westbound traffic lanes.  

Member for Pumicestone Ariana Doolan welcomed the release of the summary business case. 

“It was great to have Minister Mickelberg here and for the Crisafulli Government to act so quickly in releasing this summary business case to get on with the job after years of Labor failures,” Ms Doolan said. “We’ve long recognised the difficulties our residents, businesses and visitors experience when incidents occur on the existing bridge, causing lane closures and delays.” 

The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) undertook technical investigations and community consultation - with more than 4000 comments received across the two phases - to consider project options and develop a concept design for further assessment during the business case phase.  

The business case shows the existing bridge (now more than 60-years-old) is structurally sound and suitable to carry traffic but also confirmed the need to improve access to Bribie Island, as well as address growing safety issues experienced due to the existing narrow, two-way bridge – everyone knows what happens when there’s an accident on the bridge, it’s traffic chaos! 

“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 foreseeable future,” Ms Doolan said. “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.”  

Intersection upgrades are also proposed at Sylvan Beach Esplanade and the Sandstone Point Hotel entrance, along with lane duplication to Bestmann Road East and crossing points to divert traffic between bridges to maintain traffic flow when required.   

The new bridge will be designed to enable future widening to four lanes with an active transport path in the long term when the existing bridge is no longer cost-effective to maintain. The concept design optimises cost, sustainability and flexibility. It uses the existing bridge as a long-term operational traffic asset and is a sustainable approach to managing the transport network. This reduces the width, cost and impact associated with constructing a new bridge. 

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg said the state government was committed to the delivery of a new bridge to the Island which they viewed as a priority.  

“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,” Minister Mickelberg said. 

Key features 

• New 2-lane, eastbound traffic bridge with separated active transport path. 

• Existing bridge to provide two westbound traffic lanes. 

• Crossing points to transfer traffic between the bridges, if 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 Queensland Government will now consider the business case and timeframes for funding, design and construction. TMR will provide further updates as the project progresses. Here’s hoping we see further updates in the not-so-distant-future! 

A summary of the business case can be found by visiting www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/caboolture-bribie-island-road-bribie-island-bridge-planning 

Member for Pumicestone Arian Doolan with Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg.