A new bridge to Bribie Island is closer to becoming a reality, with the summary business case for the project released this week.
The business case shows the existing bridge is structurally sound and suitable to carry traffic but 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.
The proposed solution is a new bridge that provides two eastbound lanes and a dedicated active transport path, with the existing bridge providing two westbound lanes.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads received more than 4000 comments as part of community consultation, which was held in two phases – in early 2023 to assist development of a concept design, and in early 2024 to comment on the proposed concept design.
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.
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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.
Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg said the state government was focused on getting on with the job.
“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,” he said.
“We will now consider the assessment and timeframes for funding, detailed design and construction.”
Member for Pumicestone Ariana Doolan welcomed the release of the summary business case.
“We’ve long recognised the difficulties our residents, businesses and visitors experience when incidents occur on the existing bridge, causing lane closures and delays,” she said.
“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.”
