Alma Bay Pedestrian Bridge Deck Removal
| Investment | $50,000 |
|---|---|
| Goal – under Corporate Plan 2021-2026 | This project aligns with Townsville City Council's commitment to community safety. The objective is to safely decommission the structurally compromised pedestrian bridge to ensure public well-being. |
| Strategic Purpose | To prioritise public safety by preventing serious injury and hazards associated with the compromised structure. |
| Status | Completed |
Project Background
The pedestrian bridge, originally constructed in 1970 and reconstructed in the 1980s, underwent a Level Two Structure Inspection in 2022. On behalf of Townsville City Council, an external consultant conducted this inspection to identify potential issues that could pose risks to the bridge and its users. The findings revealed that the bridge was in very poor condition, leading to its closure at the time of assessment.
During the inspection, Council consulted with key Magnetic Island stakeholders, including pedestrian bridge users, adjacent property owners, volunteer environmental organisations, State Government departments, and Traditional Owners.
Project Overview
Council has removed the Alma Bay pedestrian bridge deck on Magnetic Island.
Project Updates
March 2025
Work to remove the deck of the Alma Bay Pedestrian Bridge will resume following the recent tropical low that impacted communities in North and Far North Queensland.
Council paused these works in February as the wet weather had eroded the structure and surrounds, making the ground unsafe for this type of work to continue.
The barricades and signage at the bridge are in place to ensure the entire community's safety. Council legally requires these measures to be in place due to the unsafe condition of the bridge and the risk of potential collapse.
Please report any tampering with or removing the barricades and signage to Council. Your assistance in this matter is greatly appreciated.
Council will resume work on Tuesday, 4 March 2025, and expects to take one day to complete, weather permitting.
As part of these works, Council will:
Remove the remaining concrete bridge deck
Install permanent barriers to prevent pedestrian access to the remaining structure.
If you live in or are travelling through the area, you may experience:
- Construction machinery and vehicle movement
- Increased levels of dust, noise, and vibrations
- Temporary traffic changes, including lane and road closures, minor traffic delays and reduced speed limits.
Council will continue to update the Island community as these works progress.
February 2025
Works to remove the Alma Bay Pedestrian Bridge deck are paused due to the recent tropical low affecting North and Far North Queensland communities.
To date, Council has removed one of the decks. However, the wet weather has further eroded the structure and surroundings, making the ground unsafe for this type of work to continue.
While we wait for the ground to dry, Council will continue maintenance work on the Island, including repairing potholes, clearing trees from roads, and inspecting infrastructure damaged by the recent heavy rain.
Removal work will resume once it is safe to do so.
The barricades and signage at the bridge are in place to ensure the entire community's safety. Council legally requires these measures to be in place due to the unsafe condition of the bridge and the risk of potential collapse. Please report any tampering with or removing the barricades and signage to Council. Your assistance in this matter is greatly appreciated.
Council is committed to keeping the community informed as this project's delivery progresses. We will continue to provide updates on our progress and any changes to the schedule.
December 2024
In preparation for these works, Council will reinstate the bridge closure with barricades and updated signage.
The bridge is closed, unsafe to cross, and will remain closed until further notice.
We will share information regarding the deck removal timeframes, scheduling, and pedestrian traffic management closer to project commencement. Weather permitting, we expect removal work to commence in January 2025.
Documents
Works Notifications
- Alma Bay Pedestrian Bridge Deck Removal – Works Notification – 3 March 2025 (PDF, 183.3 KB)
- Alma Bay Pedestrian Bridge Deck Removal – Works Notification – 12 February 2025 (PDF, 188.7 KB)
- Alma Bay Pedestrian Bridge Deck Removal – Works Notification – 3 February 2025 (PDF, 4.7 MB)
- Alma Bay Pedestrian Bridge Deck Removal – Works Notification – 10 December 2024 (PDF, 95.7 KB)
