LNP reveals preferred design for Bribie Island bridge duplication

Four-lane crossing expected to be complete before 2032 Olympic Games

By LineZotpaper

Published18 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Sources3 outlets

The Crisafulli government has unveiled its preferred design for a new bridge to Bribie Island, with Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg stating the work should be finished before the 2032 Olympic Games. The existing bridge will be kept for pedestrians and cyclists.

Announcing the proposal on Sunday, Premier David Crisafulli and Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg said community consultation on the plans will be open until the end of November, with geotechnical investigations to start this week.

A new four-lane bridge is slated to double capacity of the existing bottleneck. The current bridge is to be retained as a dedicated active transport crossing for pedestrians and cyclists to and from the island north of Brisbane.

"The Bribie Island Bridge is a gateway to a beautiful part of the world, and we want people, whether they live here or they want to come and visit here, to be able to do so safely and do so accessibly," Crisafulli told reporters on the island.

"And this is a game changer for the region. But, more importantly, it fulfils a promise we made that people here heard about for a long, long time. I believe when you say something, you do it, and we're living that."

The LNP's Ariana Doolan won the Pumicestone seat encompassing the island at the 2024 election from one-term Labor MP Ali King. Labor had previously dismissed long-standing LNP calls for a new bridge. In the months before the 2024 poll, then-premier Steven Miles said Labor would duplicate the bridge at an estimated cost of $700 million, before a business case had been finalised -- a move the LNP dubbed a "bribe".

An April 2025 summary of the business case has since been released.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The new bridge is expected to double capacity for the only road access to Bribie Island, affecting residents, commuters and tourists.
The project fulfils a key LNP election promise and was a factor in the party's 2024 win in the Pumicestone seat.
Delivery before the 2032 Brisbane Olympics adds time pressure and political stakes.

Background

A new bridge to Bribie Island has been debated for years. The LNP long called for a duplicate crossing, while Labor initially dismissed the need. Before the 2024 state election, then-premier Steven Miles announced a $700 million duplicate bridge plan before a business case was completed. The LNP criticised that as a pre-election inducement. At the 2024 election, the LNP's Ariana Doolan won the Pumicestone seat, and the Crisafulli government has now moved forward with a preferred design.

Key Perspectives

Residents and visitors: They stand to gain improved access and safety, but will face construction disruption and need to wait years for completion. LNP government: The project delivers on a long-standing promise and is framed as essential for the region's growth and for the 2032 Olympics. Labor (in opposition): Labor previously committed to a duplicate bridge but at a pre-business-case estimate. The LNP dismissed that as a "bribe". Labor may scrutinise costs and timelines now that the government has released its preferred design.

What to Watch

Community consultation responses (open until end of November) and whether they raise concerns about environmental or traffic impacts.
Geotechnical investigation results, which will inform final design and timeline.
Whether the government can meet its target of completion before the 2032 Games, given the planning and construction required.

Sources

LNP reveals preferred Bribie bridge plan – with finish still years off · Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
LNP reveals preferred Bribie bridge plan – with finish still years off · Brisbane Times - Latest News
LNP reveals preferred Bribie bridge plan – with finish still years off · WA Today - Latest News

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 9 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedLNP reveals preferred design for Bribie Island bridge duplicationSydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “LNP reveals preferred Bribie bridge plan”
Partly supportedFour-lane crossing expected to be complete before 2032 Olympic GamesSydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg saying he expected the work to be complete before the 2032 Games”
SupportedThe Crisafulli government has unveiled its preferred design for a new bridge to Bribie Island, with Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg stating the work should be finished before the 2032 Olympic GamesSydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “The Crisafulli government has revealed its preferred design for a long-promised new bridge to Bribie Island, with Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg saying he expected the work to be complete before the 2032 Games”
SupportedAnnouncing the proposal on Sunday, Premier David Crisafulli and Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg said community consultation on the plans will be open until the end of November, with geotechnical investigations to start this weekSydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Announcing the proposal on Sunday, Premier David Crisafulli and Mickelberg said community consultation on the plans will be open until the end of November, with geotechnical investigations to start this week”
Partly supportedThe existing bridge will be kept for pedestrians and cyclistsSydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “which is pitched to be retained as a dedicated active transport crossing for pedestrians and cyclists”
SupportedA new four-lane bridge is slated to double capacity of the existing bottleneckSydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “A new four-lane bridge is slated to double capacity of the existing bottleneck”
Partly supportedThe current bridge is to be retained as a dedicated active transport crossing for pedestrians and cyclists to and from the island north of BrisbaneSydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “which is pitched to be retained as a dedicated active transport crossing for pedestrians and cyclists to and from the island north of Brisbane”
SupportedCrisafulli said: "The Bribie Island Bridge is a gateway to a beautiful part of the world, and we want people, whether they live here or they want to come and visit here, to be able to do so safely and do so accessibly. And this is a game changer for the region. But, more importantly, it fulfils a promise we made that people here heard about for a long, long time. I believe when you say something, you do it, and we're living that."Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “The Bribie Island Bridge is a gateway to a beautiful part of the world, and we want people, whether they live here or they want to come and visit here, to be able to do so safely and do so accessibly. And this is a game changer for the region. But, more importantly, it fulfils a promise we made that people here heard about for a long, long time. I believe when you say something, you do it, and we’re living that.”
SupportedThe LNPs Ariana Doolan won the Pumicestone seat encompassing the island at the 2024 election from one-term Labor MP Ali KingSydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “The LNP’s Ariana Doolan won the Pumicestone seat encompassing the island at the 2024 election from one-term Labor MP Ali King”
SupportedLabor had previously dismissed long-standing LNP calls for a new bridgeSydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “after Labor shifted from dismissing long-standing LNP calls for a new bridge”
SupportedIn the months before the 2024 poll, then-premier Steven Miles said Labor would duplicate the bridge at an estimated cost of $700 million, before a business case had been finalised -- a move the LNP dubbed a bribeSydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “In the months before the 2024 poll, then-premier Steven Miles said Labor would duplicate the bridge at an estimated cost of $700 million, before a business case had been finalised – which the LNP dubbed a 'bribe'”
SupportedAn April 2025 summary of the business case has since been releasedSydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “An April 2025 summary of the business case, since published by the transport department”