The Story Bridge is without doubt, one of Brisbane’s most treasured landmarks. The construction of the adventure climb elements will change the bridge in one simple aspect – safety. The Story Bridge has been climbed and crossed by maintenance crew since it’s opening in 1940. Our work to enhance the original construction will not alter the external design of the bridge, though add safety elements in addition to viewpoints and visitor amenities.

Brisbane’s Story Bridge opened for operation on July 6, 1940. This date came five years after construction commenced and fourteen years after initial recommendations for a river crossing in the Kangaroo Point vicinity. Essentially, the Story Bridge was one of the then governments’ three major public works projects, creating years of employment for many men during the Great Depression. The Story Bridge is the largest steel bridge designed, fabricated and constructed in Australia by Australians.     Historical Facts Construction took five years, one year longer than planned.  Queenslander, Dr John Bradfield was Consulting Engineer. His design team prepared 600 working drawings.  The Story Bridge project cost £1,492,000. Seven years later, the State Government sold the Story Bridge to the Brisbane City Council for £750,000. Sadly, four men lost their lives during construction. Bridge Specifications The Bridge is 1,072 metres long from the southern to northern anchor piers.  The river span is 282 metres long.  The Bridge’s summit is 74 metres to ground, similar in height to a 22-story building.  The width of the Bridge is 24 metres, including footpaths. The river clearance at low tide is 35 metres, or 10-stories. Construction Facts 39,100 cubic metres were excavated for foundations. 41,250 cubic metres of concrete used  12,000 tonnes of structural steel used  1,650 tonnes of reinforcing steel used  1,500,000 rivets were used to construct the bridge. Maintenance Currently the bridge is repainted every 7 years using 17,500 litres of paint There is approximately 105,000 square metres of painted steel surfaces.