Brisbane's Story Bridge to close over new year for maintenance

Brisbane's iconic Story Bridge is set to close for three weeks over the new year for maintenance.

The repairs include resurfacing the southern approach and parts of the northern approach, as well as structural deck maintenance and waterproofing.

The bridge, which carried up to 100,000 vehicles a day, according to Brisbane City Council, is scheduled to close from Sunday, December 27, 2026, to Monday, January 18, 2027.

Brisbane City Council's Ryan Murphy said the repairs were part of $110 million in funding under the Operation Smooth program.

"Big part of that is the road surface, Brisbane residents who have driven over the approaches from the northern and southern side of the story bridge recently would have noticed it's getting a little bit bumpy," Cr Murphy said.

"We will be going in over the summer to resurface.

"It will be a hot, sweaty and arduous job, but it's necessary in order to preserve this asset."

Council hoped the closure would coincide with a time when Brisbane residents were away for the summer holidays.

Alternative routes included the Captain Cook Bridge, the Go Between Bridge, the Clem7, the Gateway Bridge and the William Jolly Bridge.

The maintenance comes amid discussions about whether the Story Bridge could return to being a toll bridge if a funding deal to restore it could not be reached, according to Brisbane City Council.

An independent committee found the 85-year-old bridge would be unable to carry traffic within 20 years without a full restoration, at a cost it said would be "beyond council".

The committee suggested several ways to fund the restoration, including a toll similar to the one on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, contributions from council and state and federal governments, an annual rates levy or corporate sponsorship.

Previously, Brisbane City Council said in a statement that a toll or levy would only be considered as a "last resort".