Story Bridge in Brisbane to close for three weeks — ABC News Australia

In Brisbane, Australia, Story Bridge will be closed for three weeks for repair work during the New Year holiday period. Traffic across the structure will be suspended from Sunday, December 27, 2026, until Monday, January 18, 2027, ABC News Australia reports.

What work is planned

The repairs include renewing the road surface on the southern approach to the bridge and part of the northern approach. Maintenance of carriageway structures and waterproofing work are also planned.

Brisbane City Council representative Ryan Murphy said the work is being carried out under the Operation Smooth program, for which $110 million has been allocated. According to him, drivers may have noticed that the surface on the approaches to the bridge has become uneven, so it is planned to be renewed in summer.

More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.

Detour routes and bridge restoration

The city council expects the closure to fall during the summer school holidays, when some Brisbane residents will be outside the city. Drivers are advised to use the Captain Cook, Go Between, Gateway and William Jolly bridges, as well as the Clem7 tunnel.

The work is taking place amid discussions about the possible return of a toll for crossing Story Bridge if funding for its full restoration cannot be found. An independent committee concluded that without such restoration, the bridge will be unable to carry traffic within 20 years, while the cost of the work would be unaffordable for the city council. Proposed funding options include a toll, contributions from city, state and federal authorities, an annual property levy or corporate sponsorship.

Previously, Brisbane City Council stated that it would consider introducing a toll or a special levy only as a last resort.