Brief
Queensland government unveils preferred design for new Bribie Island bridge
Premier David Crisafulli and Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg said the preferred design will double capacity and keep the existing bridge for pedestrians and cyclists.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Queensland’s Liberal National Party (LNP) government announced on Sunday its preferred design for a new four‑lane bridge to Bribie Island, with Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg saying the project is expected to be finished before the 2032 Games.
What happened
The announcement was made on Bribie Island by Premier David Crisafulli and Minister Mickelberg. The new bridge will duplicate the existing 800‑metre crossing, providing two lanes in each direction, while the current bridge will be retained as a dedicated active‑travel route for pedestrians and cyclists. Community consultation on the plans will run until the end of November, and geotechnical investigations are set to begin within the week.
What the reports add
The SMH report notes that the preferred design was one of two options shortlisted in an April 2025 business‑case summary released by the state transport department. The alternative option would have kept the existing bridge for westbound traffic. The business case estimated the cost of the recommended design at $756.56 million, slightly higher than the $700 million estimate previously floated by the Labor government before the 2024 election.
What was said
Premier Crisafulli told reporters, “The Bribie Island Bridge is a gateway to a beautiful part of the world, and we want people, whether they live here or they want to come and visit here, to be able to do so safely and do so accessibly… And this is a game changer for the region.” Transport Minister Mickelberg added that the existing bridge “would have required a considerable amount of remediation to get it up to the standard” and that the new design “is obviously safe as it sits right now, but it was not built to deal with the volume of traffic.”
How it came about
The bridge has been a long‑standing promise of the LNP. In the 2024 state election, LNP candidate Ariana Doolan won the Pumicestone seat that includes Bribie Island, defeating Labor incumbent Ali King after Labor had previously dismissed LNP calls for a new crossing. Former Labor premier Steven Miles had pledged a duplicate bridge in 2024 at an estimated $700 million, a claim the LNP later labelled a “bribe”. The April 2025 business case, published by the transport department, formalised the design options and cost estimates that underpin the current announcement.
Key facts
- Queensland's LNP government announced a preferred four‑lane bridge design for Bribie Island. (smh.com.au)
- The new bridge will double capacity while the existing bridge becomes a dedicated pedestrian and cyclist crossing. (smh.com.au)
- Community consultation will be open until the end of November, with geotechnical investigations starting this week. (smh.com.au)
- The recommended design was costed at $756.56 million in an April 2025 business‑case summary. (smh.com.au)
- Premier David Crisafulli and Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg made the announcement on Bribie Island. (smh.com.au)
Sources
- [1] smh.com.au — originally reported as “LNP reveals preferred Bribie bridge plan – with finish still years off”
