Routine works on the Story Bridge will take place over the Easter school holidays as part of the Schrinner Council’s year-round maintenance program.
From 9pm Thursday 2 April to 5am Monday 13 April 2026, drivers can expect partial and full road closures while these works are underway.
The Story Bridge is one of Australia’s most important transport connections, carrying more than 100,000 passenger, public transport and freight vehicles each day, with more than 40 per cent of trips taken by people travelling from outside Brisbane.
The Easter works are part of our Council’s constant upkeep of the 85-year-old bridge, undertaken by full-time staff based at the Story Bridge maintenance depot.
The works will include concrete repairs beneath the road surface within the bridge depot, which will not be visible from the roadway, along with inspections and other routine maintenance activities.
Traffic changes have been scheduled during the April Easter school holiday period when traffic is lower and aligns with the Tour de Brisbane cycling event on Sunday 12 April when the bridge is already set to be closed.
Traffic arrangements include:
- A single southbound lane closure on the Story Bridge from 9pm Thursday 2 April to 9pm Saturday 11 April 2026.
- A full bridge closure from 9pm Saturday 11 April to 1pm Sunday 12 April 2026, with access maintained for Emergency Services.
- From 1pm Sunday 12 April to 5am Monday 13 April, one lane in each direction will be operational.
- All lanes are planned to reopen by 5am Monday 13 April
During the full closure, detours will direct traffic to the Captain Cook Bridge or the Clem7 tunnel.
Tolls on the Clem7 will be waived from 4:30am to 1pm on Sunday 12 April during the Tour de Brisbane event.
Pedestrian, cyclist and scooter access across the bridge will remain open during the works and the Story Bridge Adventure Climb will continue to operate.
These works build on a steady pipeline of upgrades already underway on the Story Bridge as part of a multi-stage restoration program.
More than $80 million has been invested in the first stage of the Story Bridge’s restoration since 2019.
The second stage involved the full replacement of both Story Bridge footpaths, with more than 750 metres of new decking installed using strong, lightweight, custom-made panels fixed to a locally sourced steel frame.
A detailed business case is being progressed with engineering experts ARUP to explore funding options with the Australian Government for future works on the bridge.
This will map out a long-term restoration program to be delivered over the coming decades as the Story Bridge approaches its 100th birthday, ensuring it remains a critical link for Brisbane for generations to come.
The Story Bridge was originally built by the State Government between 1935 and 1940, later transferred to Council in 1947 when tolls were removed.
Quotes attributable to Infrastructure Chair Ryan Murphy:
“I want to thank people for their patience as we undertake these important works on the Story Bridge.
“We spend millions maintaining the Story Bridge every year and have invested more than $120 million in upkeep alone over the past two decades on this iconic asset.
“Lane closures and the occasional full bridge closure are needed at times so our teams can safely carry out essential maintenance.
“Crews are on site in our Story Bridge depot working year-round to look after the 85-year-old landmark.
“While these routine works are underway, we’re working hard to deliver a detailed business case to the Australian Government for a long-term restoration plan to be delivered over the coming decades.”
