Is the Brisbane Story Bridge Pedestrian Path Open?

About the Closure

On March 5th, 2025, the Brisbane City Council closed the Story Bridge pedestrian and cycling paths indefinitely, citing safety concerns linked to ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. This decision was made with minimal communication to the thousands of daily commuters who depend on this crucial bridge for cycling and pedestrian access.

The closure caused significant disruption, particularly for cyclists and pedestrians, forcing them to find alternative routes that were often longer, less safe, or entirely impractical. According to Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner's official statement, the western footpath reopened on October 3rd, 2025, after being closed for over six months. Crews then accelerated the final stage, allowing the eastern footpath to reopen at 6:00 am on November 13th, 2025.

In a concerning development, the council has revealed that the Story Bridge may need to return to being a toll bridge unless other levels of government help fund its restoration. An independent committee has found that the 85-year-old bridge would be unable to carry traffic within 20 years without a full restoration, at a cost which the council claims would be "beyond council".

What's particularly concerning is that the council has known about these structural issues for years. Despite "regular maintenance and renewal work," the bridge's condition has deteriorated to the point where water is now leaking through the concrete, and sections of the path are in worse condition than previously reported. This raises serious questions about the council's long-term planning and maintenance of this critical piece of infrastructure.

This unexpected move has sparked frustration among active transport advocates, who see it as another example of Brisbane's vulnerability in terms of cycling infrastructure resilience. Despite the claimed need for structural assessments as part of a broader restoration plan for the aging bridge, the lack of transparency and immediate alternatives has raised questions about the city's commitment to prioritising active transport.

Current Status & Impact on Commuters

The Story Bridge provides a vital connection between Kangaroo Point and the CBD/Fortitude Valley areas. With both footpaths now open again:

• Western footpath: Reopened on 3 October 2025 with new decking and structural upgrades
• Eastern footpath: Reopened on 13 November 2025 following accelerated works
• During the closure period, cyclists were forced to detour via Edward Street, Felix Street, and Eagle Street before descending onto the City Reach Boardwalk
• Pedestrians previously faced limited crossing options and longer travel times, particularly those with mobility challenges
• Advocacy from commuters and active transport groups was instrumental in expediting the eastern path works

Communication Issues

Despite the significant impact on Brisbane residents, the Brisbane City Council initially provided minimal notice, limited information about the reasons for the closure, and no clear reopening timeline. Eventually, the official council statement confirmed the staged reopening, with the western path delivered ahead of schedule and the eastern path accelerated for completion in November 2025.

Replacement Works & Future Plans

According to the council's official announcement, the replacement works included:

• Around 300 metres of replacement footpath decking on the city-side (western) footpath
• Strong, lightweight, custom-made panels fixed onto locally sourced steel frames
• Same material successfully used at the Cultural Centre boardwalk in 2021
• Almost $7 million investment in replacement footpath decking
• Part of nearly $80 million invested in the Story Bridge since 2019

The eastern path installation has now been delivered, several months ahead of the original early-2026 target.

Full Reopening Achieved

Stay Informed

This page has been updated to reflect the full reopening of the Story Bridge pedestrian and cycling paths. We'll continue to monitor future maintenance announcements or traffic management changes.

For official information about current bikeway status, you can check the Brisbane City Council website or refer to the Lord Mayor's official statement.