Bribie Island Bridge

Bribie Island Bridge
Bribie Island Bridge
Carries	Road traffic
Crosses	Pumicestone Passage
Locale	Sandstone Point to Bellara, Bribie Island, Queensland
Begins	Sandstone Point
Ends	Bellara, Bribie Island
Characteristics
Design	Reinforced concrete
Material	Concrete
Total length	2,763 feet (833 meters)
Clearance below	7.3 meters
No. of lanes	2
Design life	Built to last until 2031
History
Constructed by	K.D. Morris
Construction start	July 1961
Construction cost	$716,000
Opened	19 October 1963
Statistics
Toll	Abolished in 1975, original cost was $1
References

Bribie Island Bridge is a reinforced concrete bridge measuring approximately 2,763 feet (833 meters) in length. It stretches across the Pumicestone Passage, connecting from Sandstone Point to Bellara on Bribie Island.

History

In 1912, there were only 25 residents in Camp Bongaree, Bribie Island. Brisbane Tug & Steamship Co. leased land at the camp, and operated regular trips for visitors from Redcliffe and Brisbane. In the 1930s, tourism at the camp peaked, however, there was no private company road built from Bongaree to Woorim. The road had a toll placed on it, and initially, it held basic truck and bus services as there were few private cars on Bribie Island. Following World War II, barges formerly used for military personnel and transport were purchased by Bribie residents and began operating them as private Car Ferries.

In 1947, Queensland Premier Edward Hanlon suggested construction of a bridge when development funds were announced. The plan was only brought up again 10 years later on November 17, 1957, when Premier Vince Gair spoke about the installation of a possible “Pilot Station”. However, this was moved towards Mooloolaba. In 1958, a proposal was made by developer Alfred Grant Pty. Ltd. to obtain a large parcel of Crown Land on Bribie, in return for building a free bridge. This offer was never accepted. Finally by 1959, the State Government made an official decision to call Tenders for the construction of a bridge to Bribie Island. One year later, a contract was awarded to K.D.Morris to build the bridge with the budget of $716,000.

Construction and Opening

In July 1961, construction on the bridge begun and piles were driven into the river bed. There were 206 (25 meters long) concrete piles installed for the bridge. At the centre of the bridge was a 7.3 meter clearance for small boats during low tide. On 19 October 1963, Bribie Island Bridge was opened by Queensland Premier Frank Nicklin, who also was the first person to pay for a toll, while the toll operator was Jack Greenhalgh. At the time, the bridge was one of the longest concrete bridges in Australia. The population of Bribie at the time was 500 residents, and the car ferry cost was an expensive price of 10 shillings. The bridge toll was $1 ($14.70 in today's money), which was considered expensive back in the day. This resulted in a public outrage, and the Celebrate Committee was disbanded. Despite the disappointment, in the first week, 14,000 cars paid the toll to cross the bridge. It was looked as if the opening event would be boycotted, however, a procession of floats, horse-drawn carts, vintage cars, marching bands, and large crowds drove over the bridge to the island for the first time. Shortly afterwards, residents found out that the infrastructure and amenities such as parking, toilets and street signage were inadequate, and not up to expectations. Because of these factors, residents commonly demanded concessions and reductions. Shortly afterwards, the bridge earned the nickname, the “Ned Kelly Bridge” as it was felt as a highway robbery.

Finally, in 1975, the Government announced that the Bridge had been paid off after the toll tickets. There was already over 2,000 residents living at Bribie Island at the time of the announcement. On March 22, 1975, the last toll was paid by Bribie resident Stan Balmer, and the bridge remained free ever since.

Maintenance

In 1997, the Department of Transport and Main Roads inspected the bridge's pylons, which resulted in two piles being coated in protective material. Following an independent report in 2013, which conducted underwater studies, more piles in need of protective coating were identified. Eight more piles were jacketed between 2013 and 2020. In 2015, the Labor government ignored advice to undertake remedial maintenance in the bridge's pylons, which including jacketing the pylons to prevent corrosion and extend the bridge's life past 2038. Bribie Island Bridge's pylons are currently coated with chloride ion resistant coating system comprising Luxepoxy Sealer and Dulux 955 Acrashield. It currently faces corrosive salt-laden winds, which can risk the piles to concrete spalling.

Re-development

According to an engineering review, the bridge was built to last until 2031. There have been proposals to replace the existing bridge with a 4 lane bridge. However, these plans have been widely rejected due to the high expense associated with demolishing the current bridge. In 2014, a study was made to determine the corridor for a new bridge. The Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads announced that a new $700 million bridge would be constructed beside the bridge, and the existing bridge would be re-used for westbound traffic. The newer bridge will be accommodated with two eastbound lanes, an emergency lane, and also a wider pedestrian walkway. Pelican perches that overhang the water are also expected to be installed on the new bridge. According Transport and Main Roads Minister Bart Mellish, the traffic can divert between bridges to help manage maintenance and emergencies when necessary. Not only was the bridge involved, but the plan also included the widening of the Caboolture-Bribie road, between Bestmann Road East and Benabrow Avenue to 4 lanes. The Queensland Government will fully fund the project, and has also invested $5.2 million in total. In 2023, community consultation for residents and visitors at Bribie Island was held from January to 27 February.

Mayor Peter Flannery launched a campaign that aimed to turn Bribie Island Bridge into a “green bridge”, by converting the existing grudge into a pedestrian and bike friendly walkway with eco-spaces. This would also save the bridge from demolition, and prepare it for the future 2032 Olympics and Paralympics. However, the plan was never finalised in the TMR's current development concepts.

Concept

The finalised concept by the TMR includes a new two-lane eastbound bridge, and the existing Bribie Island Bridge would be used for westbound traffic. The new eastbound bridge will include road shoulders and a separate transport path. There will be other upgrades such as Traffic signals at Sandstone Point Hotel access, pelican perches that hang over water, and a new 4 land road between Bestmann Road East to Benabrow Avenue.