Brisbane will deliver just one more green bridge, the Toowong-West End Bridge, after abandoning plans for a fifth bridge connection amid escalating infrastructure costs and budget constraints.
However, the West End to St Lucia Bridge has been cut from the program, marking a significant shift in the city’s ambitious infrastructure strategy first announced in 2019.
Project Background
The original “Bridges for Brisbane” program initially proposed constructing five bridges over a decade, with joint funding from local, state, and federal governments. To date, two bridges have been completed: the Breakfast Creek Bridge and the recently opened Kangaroo Point Bridge.
Budget pressures from multiple fronts have influenced the decision. The COVID-19 pandemic, post-2022 flood rebuilding efforts, and the ongoing housing crisis have significantly impacted infrastructure funding.
Council highlighted increased construction costs and lower-than-expected revenue as key factors in scaling back the bridge program.
New Green Bridge Impact
The Kangaroo Point Bridge, the most recent addition, is expected to remove approximately 84,000 cars from Brisbane’s roads annually and reduce travel times for active and public transport users by up to 50 percent.
The bridge features separated pedestrian and active transport lanes and will connect to a nearly four-kilometre eastern bikeway between 2027 and 2028.
Two dining venues along the Kangaroo Point Bridge – Stilts Dining and Mulga Bill’s – are expected to open early next year, adding further community amenities to the infrastructure project.
Efforts have been made to secure funding for the Toowong-West End Bridge, using a business case to support the initiative. There is a strong commitment to finish this green bridge ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games while keeping the budget balanced.
Published 17-Dec-2024
