Second Bribie Bridge inches closer

A business case for a second Bribie Island Bridge has been finished.

During a wide-ranging interview with Transport and Main Roads Minister Brent Mickelberg, he revealed the next step and was asked when the community can expect work to begin.

Minister Mickelberg visited the State Electorate of Pumicestone yesterday, where he met with MP Ariana Doolan and had a look at the bridge and Bribie Island Rd.

“The business case for the Bribie Island Bridge upgrade has been finished and we’re going to release today a summary business case in relation to the findings of that,” he said during an interview with Moreton Daily today.

“Essentially what it says is we need to build a second bridge. It will be a higher bridge which will result in two lanes both ways.

“The next step in that process is to get work started through the budget process to fund the detailed design work.”

Minister Mickelberg said that would happen in the lead-up to the State Budget, which will be handed down in late June.

The new bridge would feature two eastbound traffic lanes and a dedicated active transport path for bicycle riders, pedestrians, and users of mobility devices.

Also part of the plan is to widen the Caboolture-Bribie Island Road to 4 lanes, between Bestmann Road East and Benabrow Avenue, as well as realigning the Sylvan Beach Esplanade intersection. 

“We know what the solution looks like, now we need to get on with the job of building it,” he said.

“Ariana is certainly pushing very hard on behalf of the community to get funding committed as soon as possible. All of the different projects across the state need to be considered as part of the budget process.

“That’s my job to be able to make the case that we get funding from the Treasurer and then get on with the job of that detailed design work. Our commitment is to ensure that we get this built as soon as possible.”

Minister Mickelberg said the detailed design would “take some time” but the Government would keep the community updated on the project as it progressed.

“My commitment and Ariana’s commitment to the community is to ensure that we don’t continue to wait and kick it down the road,” he said.

Minister Mickelberg said getting the planning right would avoid delays and cost overruns in the future and the timing of construction would be “guided by the detailed design process”.

“We most certainly don’t want to be talking about this still in four years’ time. We want to ensure work is started … because we know how important these upgrades are to the community,” he said.

Bribie Island Road

A key component will be to continue upgrading Bribie Island Rd.

“Our focus is on ensuring that we progressively upgrade Bribie Island Rd. I think the works that have progressed, just in the last couple of weeks, will make a meaningful difference but it’s very clear there are a number of bottlenecks up and down Bribie Island Rd,” Minister Mickelberg said.

“Just upgrading bridges and sections of that road will not solve the problems. We need to be progressively working through those upgrades.

“If we try to do it all at once, the impact in terms of congestion and disruption to the community will be considerable so it does need to be progressive.

“We’ve got a pretty clear timeline of works to be able to upgrade Bribie Island Rd progressively.

“I acknowledge that there’s a considerable amount of work that needs to be done right up and down that corridor.”

He encouraged residents with safety concerns to raise them with Ms Doolan, who would pass them on to him.

“We’ll look to try to address those whether they’re lighting or if the road markings are insufficient,” he said.

“We can’t do everything at once, but safety is our number one priority.”

Can the Government afford a second bridge?

Minister Mickelberg conceded there were challenges with the budget position and other spending priorities.

“All that said, we’re committed to delivering important projects like the new bridge to Bribie Island. Ultimately, government is about priorities,” he said.

“We acknowledge that it’s an important project not only for addressing congestion but also with respect to safety and ensuring people are able to get on and off the island.

“It’s unacceptable that you could have an accident on the bridge, it does happen at times, the bridge is closed and key emergency services are not able to access in a timely fashion.

“The task is great and that’s my job and the job of the Treasurer and other ministers to ensure that we’re able to deliver cost certainty and to ensure the job is delivered on time and on budget.”