The state government has signalled urgency around building a proposed large-scale bridge between the mainland and an increasingly popular island.
A referral to the federal government’s Department of Environment, on behalf of the state Department of Transport and Main Roads, highlighted the importance of the Bribie Island Bridge Upgrade Project.
It stressed growing congestion and safety fears on the current two-lane bridge and said “delaying the project is not appropriate”.
The plan features the construction of an 850m two-lane eastbound bridge with an active transport path with views of the Glass House Mountains. The existing 63-year-old bridge would carry two lanes of westbound traffic.
The new bridge would be designed to enable future widening to four lanes, when the existing bridge is no longer cost-effective to maintain, which could be around 2038.
The plan also includes widening Caboolture-Bribie Island Road to four lanes, between Bestmann Road East and Benabrow Avenue, as well as realigning the Sylvan Beach Esplanade intersection.
TMR stated, via its website, that the project would improve safety and accessibility, reduce travel time, contribute to the economy and regional growth, and provide better active transport and network efficiency.
The state government said construction should start as soon as possible.
“The upgrade is considered vital infrastructure for the Moreton Bay community,” it stated.
“Construction is anticipated to commence near the beginning of quarter two, 2028, following detailed design, with timing subject to seasonal constraints to avoid sensitive periods for fauna such as migratory shorebirds, cetaceans and marine turtles.
“Delaying the project to a later date is not appropriate, as the need for it stems from the unsafe condition of the transportation route and the necessity to upgrade this route for the community’s benefit.”
“The hospitalisation crash proportion has increased from 18 per cent to 33 per cent in the most recent five-year period, and without intervention up to 180 total crashes (approximately 62 hospitalisations) are forecast over 30 years.
“Traffic on the bridge is already high (24,500 vehicles per day) and is expected to increase with population and tourism growth. During peak periods and public holidays, congestion is severe, and the single bridge cannot accommodate the demand.”
It could take four years to build, so could be operational by 2032.
The referral detailed the scope of the project.
“Construction activities will occur on both the mainland and Bribie Island sides of Pumicestone Passage, including works within the marine environment beneath the bridge footprint.”
That would include the installation of 76 bored concrete piles for a 22m bridge span.
“Environmental management measures will be implemented throughout construction to avoid or minimise impacts on water quality, marine plants, Ramsar wetland values, migratory shorebirds, marine fauna and other sensitive environmental receptors,” the referral stated.
The document also stated that the project was likely to have a direct impact on the Moreton Bay Ramsar site and on threatened and protected species and migratory species, but it would not be significant, and it cited the relatively small site area along with mitigation measures.
Some of the species mentioned include the dugong, humpback whale, loggerhead turtle, green turtle, eastern curlew and Australian humpback dolphin.
A public consultation period for the referral was held in May as part of the Department of Environment’s initial screening process of the project.
The department will soon decide whether the plans for the bridge require a more detailed environmental assessment.
TMR held two community consultation periods during the planning phase, in 2023 and 2024, to inform the concept design.
The consultations generated about 4200 responses.
“Feedback received consistently identified safety, congestion, emergency access and active transport connectivity as key priorities, along with the importance of maintaining reliable access to the mainland for residents, businesses and emergency services,” the referral stated.
Another community consultation period was planned for the middle of this year, to seek feedback on the developed design.
