In response to feedback from the Magnetic Island community, Townsville City Council has conducted an additional structural assessment of the bridge, which provided the following recommendations:
Maintain the current load limit of two (2) people
Conduct monthly visual inspections to monitor the condition of the structure and its temporary supports
Assess defects and corrosion every six (6) months.
Based on these recommendations, Council is working with a structural engineer to prolong the life of the pedestrian bridge and as a safety measure relocating existing services.
Council will commence service relocation works on Monday, 10 March 2025, and expects to take six weeks to complete, weather permitting.
As part of these works, Council will:
Under bore the creek between Pacific Drive and Henry Lawson Street
Install new watermain, sewer pipes and a telecommunications conduit
Connect and commission the new services
Disconnect the existing services to the bridge
Reinstate existing footpath and carpark.
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
Temporary closure of the adjacent pathway and carpark.
Council will continue to update the Island community as these works progress.
How proud should we be that an island person spent their own money to demonstrate that removing the bridge as proposed by the council was more expensive than doing maintenance!
The bridge remains because this resident put in the effort despite ongoing opposition from the council. Absolute Island legend like so many others!