Brisbane Lord Mayor, Adrian Schrinner has announced the 280-metre Toowong-to-West End Bridge will be the last bridge delivered under the Council’s Bridges for Brisbane program – confirming the West End to St Lucia Bridge build won’t proceed.
The Lord Mayor says the final bridge planned under the program – which would link St Lucia to West End – will not proceed due to rising costs and Council’s commitment to keep costs down for residents.
The Council is currently seeking funding from the Federal Government for a business case for the Toowong-to-West End bridge, which Lord Mayor Schrinner says will require support from all three levels of government to proceed.
“Our Council stepped in to deliver new active transport bridges because we recognised how important they were to improving connectivity in a river city like ours,” he said.
“While state governments have traditionally delivered this kind of infrastructure, the former Labor administration refused to support the Bridges for Brisbane program.
“Regardless, we’ve been able to deliver a new bridge at Breakfast Creek to significantly improve safety, as well as the iconic new Kangaroo Point Bridge which will become one of Brisbane’s must-do destinations.”
The Toowong-to-West End Bridge was one of 18 key transport projects identified by Council which should be delivered by 2032 in The Race to Gold: Brisbane’s Games Transport Legacy plan.
“We’re keen to progress the Toowong to West End Bridge next in partnership with the other levels of government before the 2032 Games,” said Lord Mayor Schrinner.
The original Bridges for Brisbane program proposed the construction of five bridges over 10 years funded by all three levels of government.
“However, we have to be realistic and due to rising costs, lower-than-expected revenue and changing community expectations we’ve made the decision not to proceed with the West End to St Lucia Bridge,” said Lord Mayor Schrinner.
“By not building this bridge, we can invest more in critical projects in the future, like better roads and better transport to keep Brisbane moving.
“Our strong budget position means we’ve been able to endure a number of significant financial hits in recent years, including the pandemic, flood, housing and inflation crisis.”
Three new active transport bridges have opened in Brisbane this year, improving connectivity for residents and visitors.
“I’m incredibly proud we have delivered the Kangaroo Point and Breakfast Creek bridges and I’m determined to see the Toowong the West End bridge completed by 2032.”
“However, we promised residents we’d maintain a balanced budget and keep costs down, so it would be irresponsible to pursue this final bridge at any cost,” he said.
