concreting

Concreting during the construction of the Story Bridge, Brisbane, 1936

from State Library of Queensland

• Vesna Verencevic said:

  Brisbane’s historical landmark the Story Bridge is magically positioned above the Brisbane River and amongst the inner suburbs of Kangaroo Point and New Farm. Story Bridge Adventure Climb will take you to the summit more than 80 meters above the Brisbane River. With 360-degree views spanning Moreton Bay in the East, the Glasshouse Mountains to our North, and hinterland views to the West, your vision and sights are endless. There were many things that happened to make this bridge one of the best places to visit in Brisbane. First things first, in 1925 after the Brisbane City Council was established, a committee was set up due to the fact that there were not enough bridges crossing the Brisbane River. Not being able to cross this giant river proved itself to create quite a debacle. Construction on the Story Bridge did not start for another 10 years, though, since the State Government refused to fund such an expensive bridge. The Most Important Details… The consulting engineer chosen for the project was Queenslander Dr. John Bradfield. Dr. Bradfield had been Chief Engineer on the Sydney Harbour Bridge which was completed in 1932. The bridge commenced construction on 24 May 1935. Construction took five years, one year longer than planned due to a steel shortage. During construction, the Bridge was referred to as the Central Bridge; the Brisbane River Bridge; the King George the Fifth Memorial Bridge; the Jubilee Bridge of Story Place; later, in 1937, the Government chose the Story Bridge, after JD Storey. The Story Bridge opened for operation on 6 July 1940. At the time of opening in 1940, the Story Bridge was Australia’s second-largest bridge (exceeded by the Sydney Harbour Bridge). It was the seventh-largest bridge of its kind in the world. The Story Bridge project cost £1,492,000 ($3,227,416) (under budget). Seven years later, the State Government sold the Story Bridge to the Brisbane City Council for £750,000. During construction, one hundred and ninety-eight (198) men were employed at the metal works, one hundred and seventy-six (176) at the construction site as well as sixty (60) designers, engineers, and surveyors. Tragically, four men lost their lives during construction. The Bridge is 1,072 meters long from the southern to northern anchor piers. The river span is 282 meters long. The Bridge’s summit is 74 meters to the ground, similar in height to a 22-story building. The width of the Bridge is 24 meters, including footpaths. The river clearance at low tide is 35 meters or 10-stories. The four main steel bearings each weigh 36 tonnes. The Story Bridge is the largest steel bridge designed, fabricated, and constructed in Australia by Australians. Brisbane’s Story Bridge opened for operation on July 6, 1940. This day 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. Today, the Story Bridge lends itself to being one of the best places to visit in Brisbane. Source: storybridgeadventureclimb.com.au/the-storied-past-of-the-...