Walter Taylor Bridge Closure September 2024

Hot Issues

Walter Taylor Bridge Closure Update – 25 September 2024
The Walter Taylor Bridge will reopen to vehicles and pedestrians this evening from 7pm. I know many people have enjoyed the quiet, but those who rely on the Bridge will be happy to see it reopen in time for work and school.
Most bus services will resume normal operations over the Walter Taylor Bridge from first service Thursday 26 September.
  • All 105, 106 and 108 Services will return to their regular route and service Indooroopilly Interchange and Shopping Centre in both directions.
  • The Great Circle Line 598 and 599, will return to their regular schedule on Monday 30 September.
  • Until Monday 30 September 2024, a Shuttle Service will run from the Sherwood Depot Stop along the normal 599 route via Honour Ave to Stop E Indooroopilly and then return to Sherwood Depot via Stop C Indooroopilly and Honour Ave to allow easy transfer. The Destination Sign on the front of the bus will show Shuttle 599 towards Indooroopilly and Shuttle 598 towards Sherwood Depot.
Walter Taylor Bridge Closure Update – 6 September 2024
 
Please see below an updated works notice from Council regarding the full closure of the Walter Taylor Bridge from 9pm Friday 13 September to 5am Monday 30 September. The Bridge closure is going ahead with some minor changes to the temporary arrangements for bus services.
 
At least now bus diversions for the 598/599, 105, 106, 108 will be diverted to Graceville Rail Station which has a lift. However, depending on the route, which is unclear, I hope the drivers don’t crash into the Long St E low rail bridge.
 
As you know, I wrote to the CEO of Council with my concerns around the closure and the inadequate detour, emergency and bus arrangements put in place. The CEO has responded by saying the Bridge closure will go ahead and emergency vehicles will use the Jack Pesch Bridge in addition to cyclists and pedestrians. They also feel their communication has been adequate, despite the fact that they acknowledge that they have been in planning for several months with State Government agencies. You can read the CEO of Council’s response here.
 
In horrific news, the State has now announced rail shut downs during this period on the Beenleigh line (and others), and reduced timetables on the Ipswich and Springfield lines. The Gold Coast line will divert via the Ipswich line.
 
It is unbelievable that while Council closes the Bridge, Queensland Rail cuts and reduces the trains. That does not seem like good “planning” to me.
 
Over the past few weeks, I have moved two motions at Council; one, to maintain partial access to the Bridge and two, to reschedule the closure to the quieter January period. Both of these motions were voted down by the Lord Mayor and his team who control the majority at Council. I know that maintenance works to the Bridge are critical, but it is how you schedule them, how you plan for them and how you communicate them that is where Council has let our community down.
 
I think we should prepare for two weeks of road, rail and bus disruptions on a scale not been seen for 30 years. As a local resident, I know this is going to be massively disruptive and chaotic. Sadly, Council is not listening and has failed to engage in reasonable communication and consultation with residents.
 
The latest Council update is noted below.

13 August 2024

On Friday I was advised that Council will be fully closing the Walter Taylor Bridge from 9pm 13 Sept to 5am 30 Sept 2024 for maintenance. It’s been presented to me as a fait accompli with business notification already underway and residents to be notified this week. 

We all want a safe and reliable Bridge and maintenance works to the bridge joints and resurfacing are critically important. However, doing it in a way that minimises disruption to local residents who rely in the Bridge is critical. That’s why I have raised practical issues about the disruption, detours, timing and logistics with the CEO in my correspondence you can read here.

  • The detours plans are grossly inadequate and I have raised these issues directly with the CEO of Council. The lengthy detour is via two major road projects at the Centenary Motorway and Moggill Road roundabout that are already causing chaos and delays. 
  • Bus users are being diverted to a rail station with no universal access making it incredibly difficult for the elderly those with disabilities or parents with prams to access public transport. Plus there will be long delays between bus and rail services. I asked the Lord Mayor a question about whether he thought the lack of universal access to public transport as a result of the Bridge closure was acceptable, and he refused to answer the question and instead personally attacked me. I am worried that inadequate arrangements have been made for the elderly, the disabled and parents with prams who cannot manage the stairs at Sherwood rail station where all buses are terminating during the Bridge closure.
  • No temporary upgrades are in place to manage traffic volume increases at key intersections like Cook St and Oxley Rd Oxley that are already congested. 

Two weeks in January (e.g. 5 – 18 January) may be a better option as the Moggill Rd roundabout project is supposed to finish before Christmas and traffic will be lighter.

I have written to the CEO of Council about my concerns and I will keep you updated. As a local resident and your local Councillor, I am appalled at the Lord Mayor’s and Council’s failure to have open and honest conversation with us or provide timely advice to enable long-term planning for major disruptions.

Maintaining the Bridge is important but fully closing it for weeks is not necessary. Given the Moggill Rd project is a year behind schedule let’s hope that Council don’t mismanage the bridge repairs as well and timeframes don’t blow out further.

You can read my emails to the CEO of Council here.

You can view the public notification project letter here.

You can view the works notice here.

You can view the footpath and road detour maps here.

You can view information regarding the Bridge closure on Council’s website here.