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Media Release
Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Weigh in on plans for new Bribie Island bridge

16th January 2022

The public is being asked to have their say on a new Bribie Island Bridge.

Member for Pumicestone Ali King said plans for a proposed new bridge were outlined in a recently released business case.

"The Bribie Island bridge is an icon, but it's also 60 years old and prone to traffic congestion," she said.

"With more foot, bike and vehicle traffic using the bridge, it's clear we need to improve access to and from Bribie Island.

"I want to make sure locals and visitors can spend less time driving and more time enjoying the great lifestyle in our beautiful part of Queensland."

Ms King said technical investigations to help develop the new bridge's concept design had begun.

"A detailed assessment of the existing bridge began in November 2022, and crews will soon start geotechnical drilling in Pumicestone Passage to assess where a new bridge could be built," Ms King said.

"How to look after local pelicans will be a key consideration, and we will be working closely with wildlife specialists during the planning phase.

"I encourage anyone wanting to have their say on the future bridge to make your voice heard."

Ms King said a new bridge would mean four lanes across the Pumicestone Passage to and from Bribie Island.

"We know how important it is to improve transport connections to Bribie Island, so this is an important step forward," Ms King said.

"These plans come as part of the Palaszczuk Labor Government's $29.7 billion transport and roads plan over the next four years, supporting 25,200 good, secure jobs for Queenslanders.

"We're delivering better services right across the state, helping Queenslanders get home sooner and safer."

The planning for the business case will consider opportunities to retain the existing bridge and add a new, two-lane bridge with improved pedestrian and bike rider facilities.

In this scenario, another two-lane bridge would eventually be required to replace the existing bridge.

An further alternative is an entirely new four-lane bridge.

The results of the detailed assessment of the existing bridge will be essential in determining its current condition, remaining life, maintenance and rehabilitation costs, and if continued use is a practical option.

A range of consultation opportunities are available including:

. Online survey and interactive map
. Community consultation sessions
. Newsletter with a survey distributed to local properties
. Contacting the TMR project team on 1800 783 016 or Bribie.Island.Bridge@tmr.qld.gov.au.

Community consultation is open until 27 February 2023. Feedback will help develop a concept design to provide four lanes across Pumicestone Passage and consider the future of the existing bridge.

The concept design will be presented for further community comment in 2023.

Funding for new bridge construction will be considered in future funding rounds against other transport infrastructure priorities across the state.

For more information, visit www.tmr.qld.gov.au and search 'Bribie Island Bridge planning'.

ENDS

>> https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/caboolture-bribie-island-road-bribie-island-bridge-planning

Any project around the Bribie Island Bridge needs to seriously consider the impact of the Sandstone Point Hotel and how local traffic is impacted any time an event is on and how it can be mitigated. A new bridge is nice, but on event days the problems start before the bridge, with massive queuing of vehicles back towards Ningi trying to get into the hotel.

Other than a segregated cycle and pedestrian path, the new bridge should include a pull in bus stop midway.

What is the bus stop halfway across for?

Quote from: verbatim9 on January 16, 2023, 15:52:37 PMOther than a segregated cycle and pedestrian path, the new bridge should include a pull in bus stop midway.

Why?

The middle of the bridge is within a km of bus stops on either side (the ones on the mainland side could be closer). 

Quote from: RowBro on January 16, 2023, 16:24:49 PM

Quote from: verbatim9 on January 16, 2023, 15:52:37 PMOther than a segregated cycle and pedestrian path, the new bridge should include a pull in bus stop midway.

Why?

So you can get to Portside cruise terminal via a BAC electric maglev bus based at Geebung.

Quote from: RowBro on January 16, 2023, 16:24:49 PM

Quote from: verbatim9 on January 16, 2023, 15:52:37 PMOther than a segregated cycle and pedestrian path, the new bridge should include a pull in bus stop midway.

Why?

Because there is a 2 km distance between the mainland stop and the first island stop. Having a midway stop can create improved recreational opportunities. Re: fishing and people who may want walk less, yet still get moderate exercise.

These things need to be considered due to the demographics of the area and to help improve active healthy lifestyles.

It goes the same with the stops along Kingsford Smith Drive and Coronation Drive that allows easy access to the parts of the parts of the shared path without the need to walk excessive distances.

Quote from: verbatim9 on January 16, 2023, 19:11:26 PM

Quote from: RowBro on January 16, 2023, 16:24:49 PM

Quote from: verbatim9 on January 16, 2023, 15:52:37 PMOther than a segregated cycle and pedestrian path, the new bridge should include a pull in bus stop midway.

Why?

Because there is a 2 km distance between the mainland stop and the first island stop. Having a midway stop can create improved recreational opportunities. Re: fishing and people who may want walk less, yet still get moderate exercise.

These things need to be considered due to the demographics of the area and to help improve active healthy lifestyles.

It goes the same with the stops along Kingsford Smith Drive and Coronation Drive that allows easy access to the parts of the parts of the shared path without the need to walk excessive distances.

A bus stop at or near the ends of the bridge will suffice - one in the middle is not a good idea.  I'd be in support of a shaded rest area midway for pedestrians only - not with a bus stop.

I reckon most residents will be going for a midway bus top as well a premium midway refuge (incl. filtered water fountain and shaded area) for cyclists and pedestrians. Furthermore, there should be a total of three shaded areas along the span of the bridge but not necessarily all premium with water fountains.

It's 1.29km between the stops and they are very close to the ends of the bridge as it stands.  The bridge itself is only 800m long. 

I'm all for promoting public transport, but this aint the way to do it. 

Quote from: joninbrisbane on January 16, 2023, 19:43:03 PMIt's 1.29km between the stops and they are very close to the ends of the bridge as it stands.  The bridge itself is only 800m long. 

I'm all for promoting public transport, but this aint the way to do it. 

The new bridge is likely to be longer and in another spot slightly north as per previous designs, thus a midway bus stop is quite appropriate and within public transport best design practices (bus stop distances and placement).

Probably wont happen since you'd have to widen the bridge on the approaches to the midway bus stop to allow for the pull in so it's a significant extra amount of structure for a stop that's a bit of a novelty.

Having sheltered platforms for fishing etc is a bit cheaper since they are only a few square metres and not taking the weight of a bus.

Would be cheaper to have the shaded platforms closer to the ends of the bridge as well as the midpoint so you don't have to walk a long way from the bus stop if you don't want to

Site updated:

https://www.yoursay-projects.tmr.qld.gov.au/bribie-island-bridge

Quote from: verbatim9 on January 16, 2023, 19:45:38 PM

Quote from: joninbrisbane on January 16, 2023, 19:43:03 PMIt's 1.29km between the stops and they are very close to the ends of the bridge as it stands.  The bridge itself is only 800m long. 

I'm all for promoting public transport, but this aint the way to do it. 

The new bridge is likely to be longer and in another spot slightly north as per previous designs, thus a midway bus stop is quite appropriate and within public transport best design practices (bus stop distances and placement).

Please shows us examples from around the world where best practices have bus stops in the middle of bridges.

I was so tempted to ask the very same question - but devils advocate, I suspect they are referring to bus stop distances and placement.  Even so - it's really an out there idea and I don't think the benefits would come close to being worthy of inclusion in the plans.

Yes, the reason bus stops are spaced the way they are is to provide walk up accessibility. If there are no walk up destinations then bus stops are not built.

So along the bridge, the only 'trip generator' is for people wanting to get onto the bridge to enjoy the view or go fishing.

The problem is that it is disproportionately expensive to provide for that on this project because it's a custom built bulge out in the middle of the bridge so a lot of extra concrete structure, so doesn't represent value for money.

Quote from: verbatim9 on January 16, 2023, 19:45:38 PM

Quote from: joninbrisbane on January 16, 2023, 19:43:03 PMIt's 1.29km between the stops and they are very close to the ends of the bridge as it stands.  The bridge itself is only 800m long. 

I'm all for promoting public transport, but this aint the way to do it. 

The new bridge is likely to be longer and in another spot slightly north as per previous designs, thus a midway bus stop is quite appropriate and within public transport best design practices (bus stop distances and placement).

Come to think of it, an option for a café midway on the shared active path would be ideal as well. I also agree with other peoples suggestions on the TMR site to have the middle section higher for more boats to get through.

As you would need an underpass for the pedestrians to get from one midway bus stop to the other side, the underpass can  include moorings for small boats under the bridge. Boaties then can come up for a coffee as well as walk to the Sandstone point from there, or to Bribie to spend an hour or two.

 

Is there a sale on foam at the moment?

So what you are saying is you want them to build a large structure in the middle of Sandstone Passage, something like this, with bulge outs for bus stops, an underpass, a café and moorings?

QuoteBoaties then can come up for a coffee as well as walk to the Sandstone point from there, or to Bribie to spend an hour or two.

But whats the advantage in building the moorings in the middle of Sandstone passage when Boaties can already moor at a few locations with cafes already.

Sandstone Point Tavern has its own moorings:
https://goo.gl/maps/cVdEjnjJ45RhaJueA

So does Bribie:
https://goo.gl/maps/qKhriVJMbet5XJnt5
https://goo.gl/maps/USWXjHBA4hrWzrP9A

A thought from someone who lived on Bribie Island most of their school years (although this was some time ago now).

Without debating the pros and cons of the concept of some sort of cafe/mooring/bus access in the middle of the Pumicestone Passage, as a former long-term resident of Bribie Island I must admit I am somewhat dubious the local community would be enthusiastic about the prospect. However, I did move away in 2006... who knows, maybe the demographics have changed enough over the last 16 years that the local community would be more supportive of such an endeavour.

My experience living there was that the locals mostly wanted a free means of transportation to the local bowls club, golf course (either one) or down to Scoopy's, with some utility to access the train station at Caboolture and the bigger shopping centre at Morayfield.

I expect some opposition to even the concept of an additional bridge which could bring more traffic onto the island, as opposed to replacing the current bridge and maintaining the current number of road lanes on/off the island.

That bridge is always backed up during peak, due to all the development on the island which is very frustrating for residents. It's likely that the bridge will be completely replaced like the Redcliffe Peninsula one a decade ago.

A coffee cart would be sufficient like on other bridges. The moorings are better under the bridge with access to the pedestrian underpass. I suspect a coffee cart/cafe would be popular with cyclists as well.

I also like the concept how charities can run the cafes which is a good way to raise awareness and funds for a particular charity.

The Goodwill bridge is a good example.

Quote from: Redrient on January 19, 2023, 09:35:48 AMwith some utility to access the train station at Caboolture and the bigger shopping centre at Morayfield.

Slightly unrelated to the topic of the thread but since you've mentioned it, what do you guys think about extending the 640 to Morayfield? Currently residents from Bribie have to suffer a transfer penalty at Caboolture Station since there is no direct bus to a larger shopping centre (which I know is very popular since my grandparents live on Bribie). I'm not sure if the additional utility for residents would be worth the slightly longer travel time and possible duplication of routes between Caboolture Station and Morayfield Shopping Centre.

Quote from: Redrient on January 19, 2023, 09:35:48 AMI expect some opposition to even the concept of an additional bridge which could bring more traffic onto the island, as opposed to replacing the current bridge and maintaining the current number of road lanes on/off the island

Definitely wouldn't be much backlash from the residents. They are a bit fed up with the congestion which often arises before the Bridge on either side of the island. I also know that the lack of a detour is also frustrating when an incident occurs on the bridge. If the incident is large the bridge can be closed for hours with gridlock reaching as far back as the highway in very rare circumstances. Since presumably there will be a concrete barrier between the inbound and outbound lanes of the bridge, hopefully there will be provisions to turn the two lanes on one side of the bridge into single lanes each direction (using traffic management) to provide some redundancy when an incident does occur.

Quote from: RowBro on January 19, 2023, 11:21:55 AMSlightly unrelated to the topic of the thread but since you've mentioned it, what do you guys think about extending the 640 to Morayfield?

At the risk of digressing too much further from the topic at hand (and apologies for the first instance); in a word - yes.

Quote from: Redrient on January 19, 2023, 09:35:48 AMI expect some opposition to even the concept of an additional bridge which could bring more traffic onto the island, as opposed to replacing the current bridge and maintaining the current number of road lanes on/off the island

Quote from: RowBro on January 19, 2023, 11:21:55 AMDefinitely wouldn't be much backlash from the residents. They are a bit fed up with the congestion which often arises before the Bridge on either side of the island. I also know that the lack of a detour is also frustrating when an incident occurs on the bridge. If the incident is large the bridge can be closed for hours with gridlock reaching as far back as the highway in very rare circumstances. Since presumably there will be a concrete barrier between the inbound and outbound lanes of the bridge, hopefully there will be provisions to turn the two lanes on one side of the bridge into single lanes each direction (using traffic management) to provide some redundancy when an incident does occur.

My mum still lives on Bribie, and drives to work down at Shaftesbury Campus (Deception Bay Rd) 5 days a week.  She's not really fussed about the need for additional bridge lanes, except when there's an accident. The propensity for flooding at the Caboolture end (sometimes even impacting Old Toorbul Point Rd) seems to be more a point of consternation than the bridge end of things, at least for her. She also knows at least a few older people who seem bent on making sure the island remains difficult to access as some sort of attempt dissuade people from coming - but I'm not sure how popular an opinion that might be.

QuoteThe propensity for flooding at the Caboolture end (sometimes even impacting Old Toorbul Point Rd) seems to be more a point of consternation than the bridge end of things, at least for her.

That's also an issue which should be addressed but it doesnt mean the issue of the bridge should be ignored. One thing to keep in mind is that much of Bribie Island Road is still single lane so double lane across the bridge is unlikely to be the thing to unleash the flood gates. It's more about future proofing for when Bribie Island Road is fully widened. With that in mind I have seen times when the merging conflict on the Island side just before the bridge has caused traffic back to main roundabout (outside the shopping centre) so it would still lead to some improvements, even if it is just pushing the congestion forward to after the traffic lights on the mainland where it goes back to 1 lane. At least then the traffic isnt hindering local traffic trying to get down Welsby Parade.

All in all, even if there is some local opposition (which is probably based of selfishness or NIMBYism on the complainants side) I feel as if it's pretty clear that not doubling the lane capacity across the bridge would be a huge mistake and only result in more issues down the line. If a bridge is being built now, it may as well be built with the future in mind. To not do so would simply result in more costs down the line when real issues start to occur.

Right now, if you are a boatie, there is a pretty substantial morning pontoon on the Sandstone Point end, adjacent to the Sandstone Point Hotel and part of that development. You can moor your boat there and walk up to an area where you can have a beer and other refreshment, also some food. If they don't have coffee and cake, I am sure they would provide it. Why, if that facility is in place, would you want to build at public expense a cafe and morning point in the middle of the passage? There is also a pub on the island with views of the bridge and passage that serves coffee and treats. A bicycle path passes beneath the bridge on the island side.

You can see the boat pontoon clearly in this pic on the Sandstone Point Hotel home page:

https://sandstonepointhotel.com.au