‘Last resort’: Council threatens toll to pay for Story Bridge repairs

A toll or levy for motorists using Story Bridge has been threatened as Brisbane City Council prepares to make another bid for state and federal funding to complete “significant” restoration work.

An independent report commissioned by the council found the 85-year-old structure required a 15-year period of continued work.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner told 4BC’s Peter Feegan a toll or levy was a “100 per cent no from council”, but costs for repairs exceeded the budget.

He said that without government help, the council could be forced to consider options, including an annual rates levy, toll or private sponsorship to fund the restoration.

“We’ve already completed a portion of the restoration work but every bit of work we did discovered more corrosion and more damage to the bridge,” Schrinner said.

“There’s maintenance workers on the bridge every day … but what we’re doing now is switching from maintenance to restoration.”

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Schrinner said it was only fair the state and federal government chipped in, adding that the council’s budget was far exceeded by the other two levels of government.

“If you look at where the money goes and where it comes from … people pay their car rego to the state government,” he said.