 Brisbane's Story Bridge is a major Brisbane landmark, one that helps define Brisbane as a river city, almost as much as the Sydney Harbour Bridge defines Sydney down south.
Brisbane's Story Bridge, named after Public Service Commissioner John Douglas Story, was built by Dr John Job CrewBradfield, who also presided overthe design and construction of the SYdney Harbour Bridge. Before the Story Bridge was built, a proposal already existed in 1926 to link Kangaroo Point with Fortitude Valley. Instead, the Brisbane Council built the Grey Street Bridge (aka the William Jolly Bridge).
In 1933, Queensland was in the grips of the depression, with the unemployment rate at a very high 32 percent. It was at this time that a Bridge Board was established by the government to plan and build a toll bridge to Kangaroo Point. The focus was on the use of Australian materials, with a staggering 95 percent of the materials being made in Australia. Needless to say the toll was extremely unpopular and was finally abolished in 1947.
The Story Bridge was built from both ends simultaneously above the Brisbane River. It was opened on 6 July 1940 with a huge crowd of 37, 000 coming to witness the occassion. Celebrating from and around the Story Bridge continues to this day and includes Brisbane's famous RiverFire where thousands of fireworks are released in September each year up and down the Brisbane River, with the Story Bridge as the focal point. The Story Bridge is also a one of the things to do on New Years Eve in Brisbane, Australia. Get there early though!
For those of you interested in facts and figures, the southern approach to the bridge carries up to 31 million vehicles a year. It is 30.5 metres above the Brisbane River, contains 1.25 million rivets and 41, 000 cubic metres of concrete. You can even climb the Story Bridge which presents you with fantastic 360 degree views after climbing 1138 steps to the top of the bridge.
Updated 12.3.2007
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nocturnal bird that is usually sedentary
during the daytime. If approached it will sit upright with its feathers
pressed
firm against its body.