The Story Bridge footpaths in Brisbane, crucial for around 4,000 daily walkers, cyclists, and scooter riders, have been closed for five months due to safety concerns. Authorities declared certain parts of the bridge an “extreme risk” to public safety. In response, the Brisbane City Council is aiming to reopen at least one footpath by the year’s end. This initiative involves installing new steel joists and reinforced polymer decking. However, to facilitate this construction, some traffic lanes will be temporarily closed during nighttime hours.
The recent council updates shed light on the installation process for the new decking, detailing steps aimed at ensuring public safety. The new decking system will resemble the South Bank boardwalk, aiming to provide a durable and safe walking surface. To minimize risks, structural support beams will be positioned beneath the decking, designed to alleviate stress on the existing concrete footpaths when they reopen for public use.
Once the support beams are installed, the decking, crafted from a specialized reinforced polymer composite, will be added incrementally. This material is notable for its high strength-to-weight ratio, making it a suitable choice for the conditions of the footpath. Additionally, safety measures will include a temporary mobile scaffolding frame to assist in the installation, which will be removed prior to reopening the footpaths to the public.
In a report provided to the Brisbane City Council on March 5, the authors highlighted a significant concern regarding footpath weight limits. They recommended that access to the sidewalks be restricted to a weight of 70 kilograms per square meter, deeming this a “medium+ risk” scenario. This recommendation emerged from analysis indicating that average population weights frequently approach or exceed this limit.
The report proposed a management strategy where foot traffic could be controlled in single-file lanes, allowing pedestrians to move in opposite directions. However, this plan posed practical challenges, potentially creating new hazards and complicating the movement of cyclists and parents with strollers. The authors ultimately concluded that without enforcing the weight restriction, public access should be completely banned to ensure safety.
While the council is optimistic about reopening the footpaths, the intricate balance between public safety and access remains a central concern. The ongoing efforts to improve structural integrity and safety reflect a larger commitment to maintaining essential community resources amidst necessary precautionary measures. The introduction of new materials and engineering solutions aims to create a safer environment for the diverse users of the Story Bridge footpaths in the near future.
