Story Bridge, Brisbane

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One of the largest steel cantilever Bridges in the World - STORY BRIDGE - Brisbanes answer to the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Work began on the Bridge during the 1930's Depression. The building of this Bridge gave unemployed men work, and when it was finished, the Bridge helped ease traffic congestion.
Today, it is a very busy bridge, has six lanes for traffic and also a lane for Bicycles and for walking, and connects Fortitude Valley with Kangaroo Point.

Located slightly under the Bridge on Kangaroo Point side ,is the very popular Story Bridge Pub. If you want to see COCKCROACH RACES, then come to the pub on AUSTRALIA DAY (Jan 26th)
The Bridge also hosts a great fireworks display when Brisbane holds its RIVERFIRE FIREWORKS DISPLAY. (www.riverfestival.com.au)

Another thing that you can do, my friend did, I was chicken, is CLIMB THE BRIDGE. Evidently its pretty cool!!! in more ways than one.!!!
For those adventurers, the website is:- www.storybridgeadventureclimb.com.au

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Named after John Douglas Story, prominent public servant in the early half of the 20th century and Public Service Commissioner, 1920-39, the Story Bridge is the longest cantilever bridge in Australia.

Connecting Fortitude Valley with Kangaroo Point (north and south Brisbane), it carries cars, bikes and people (and, early in the morning, joggers). It's also the main feature for any firework/river celebrations.

Work began in 1935 with the bridge officially opened in July 1940.

"I'm crossing the bridge, I'm so really crossing the bridge!" Storey Bridge, completed in 1940, must have stood out majestically for the people of yesteryears.

I started my journey from the Kangaroo Point side of the road. You could see the metal beams getting closer and closer. I was glad that I could do a pretty slow drive across the bridge because of the heavy peak hour traffic. This means that I could soak in the surroundings.

It was a totally nostalgic trip!

Well I can assure you I have not done this climb but as some of you are more adventurous than I am here is some information. And I know people who have!

Included is a great talk on Brisbane...its history and its heritage.

Do let me know if you go.

Oh and visit the hotel "under the bridge" while you are there...see my review.

The Story Bridge will gives you to have fantastic 360 degree views of Brisbane.

The climb will last about 2.5 hours, depending on your group size, and within this time you are given a training session to make sure you know how to use the safety gear. You'll be provided with all the necessary clothing and equipment. A safety suit is worn over your own clothes, but as Brisbane can get very hot, you can wear the suit over just your underwear if you so wish (the suits are laundered after each use). You're not allowed to bring anything loose up onto the bridge, so things like jewellery and cameras need to be stored in the lockers provided. Make sure you wear comfortable flat shoes (no peeking toes!).

I opted for the sunset climb, which costs a little bit more than the regular climbs. We got up onto the start point of the climb when the sun was just about to set, so we still got some good daylight views of Brisbane, and by the time we finished, it was completely dark, and it was nice to be able to see the contrasting night view. Also, by doing a sunset climb, it wasn't as hot as it would've been during a daytime climb.

A bridge downstream of the Victoria Bridge was part of a larger plan, devised by Professor Roger Hawken of the University of Queensland in the 1920s, for a series of bridges over the Brisbane River to alleviate congestion on Victoria Bridge and to divert traffic away from the Brisbane central business district. The William Jolly Bridge was the first of the Hawken Plan bridges to be constructed. Lack of funds precluded the construction of the downstream bridge at that time. Initially plans called for a transporter bridge further downstream near New Farm.

The design for the bridge was based heavily on that of the Jacques Cartier Bridge in Montreal.

It carries three lanes of traffic in either direction as well as a shared pedestrian and cycle way flanking each side. The road on the bridge is called the Bradfield Highway, and is the shortest highway in Australia. It is not to be confused with the Bradfield Highway that spans the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Climb Brisbane's Icon!

Each adventure climb is controlled by a climb leader, who has radio contact with all group participants during the climb. Your climb leader will enlighten you with extraordinary facts about Brisbane and the Story Bridge.

Preparation
Climbers must arrive 15 minutes prior to scheduled departure. This allows time for your climb leader to explain the route and the all-important safety procedures. A climb simulator is then used to help prepare you for the adventure ahead. Once you are attached to the static line, your climb experience begins!

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As Brisbane grew and there were increasing numbers of motor vehicles on the roads, it was decided that additional new bridges would be needed, to supplement the Victoria Bridge. That led to the construction of the Grey Street Bridge (William Jolly Bridge) and, later, the Story Bridge.

The Story Bridge was designed by Dr John Bradfield, who also designed a passably well-known bridge in Sydney. The Storey Bridge, opened in 1940, links Kangaroo Point on the south bank of the river, with Fortitude Valley to the north and is equally as iconic of Brisbane. Given that Queensland had only about 100,000 vehicles at the time, some foresight was involved in creating a bridge with three vehicular lanes in each direction, plus two pedestrian/cycle lanes. The clear span is 282 metres, though the overall bridge is 777 metres long. Its highest point is about the same as a 22 storey building.

What is the significance of the name? The bridge was named after an influential Queensland Public Servant of the 1930s (who now is otherwise forgotten). Aircraft flew under it at least once during WW2. Now, should you feel intrepid, you can join climbs across the top of the two summits – one of only four bridges in the world where such climbs are possible. The phone number and website are for the climb tour operators.

Main photo: Story Bridge from near Creek Street.
Second photo: Story Bridge from a ferry downriver of the city.

Brisbane is a city of bridges. There are four bridges crossing Brisbane River, namely William Jolly Bridge, Victoria Bridge, Goodwill Bridge and Story Bridge. They are of different structural forms and materials. For example, William Jolly Bridge is an arch structure while Story Bridge is a steel cantilever bridge.

One of the reasons I love Brisbane so much is its bridges and the river. Right, I'm crazy about bridges.

Among all the bridges, I love Story Bridge the most. It's just gorgeous at night. Go to Riverside Pier and feel how I feel.

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This was AWESOME! Did it yesterday (25 May) with 60 other people from my work - it was part of a team building exercise.

I know I live in Brisbane and see the bridge and the city etc everyday, but the climb was really great and the guides that take you up there are very knowledgeable, funny and share some little stories about Brisbane that you would never know.

For only $100 per person, I think it's money well spent and a great way to spend sunset for two and a half hours.