Daily delays, blown-out budgets and mounting frustration—Brisbane commuters have felt the pain of the Centenary Bridge upgrade creeping off schedule. Now, an extra $55 million has been committed to help get the project moving again after months of disruption that have left the western suburbs choked with congestion.
Worksite Disruptions Blamed for Setbacks
The long-awaited bridge expansion, designed to ease bottlenecks along the Centenary Motorway corridor, has been plagued by interruptions on-site. Since February 2024, around 70 workdays have been delayed or disrupted due to escalating tensions and physical threats on the job site.
Site access has repeatedly been blocked, with reports of delivery trucks turned away and workers needing additional security protection. These disruptions have driven an estimated $22 million in direct costs alone—covering delays to labour and materials, extra site security, and lost productivity.
Flow-on Impact for Motorists and Taxpayers
The knock-on effect for motorists has been just as costly. Ongoing delays to construction mean peak-hour traffic snarls have worsened, with fewer signs of progress and no immediate relief for frustrated drivers.
Project leaders say the extra $55 million now injected into the budget is intended to get the Centenary Bridge upgrade back on track and cover the mounting costs caused by the disruptions. The project’s overall cost has now risen from $298.5 million to $353.5 million.
Safety Measures Stepped Up
In response to the growing number of site incidents, significant security measures have been introduced. CCTV cameras and additional security personnel have been brought in to protect workers from what’s been described as violent and bullying behaviour.
The situation has prompted a broader industry response, with a Commission of Inquiry launched to investigate the underlying causes of the worksite unrest. The inquiry aims to address a reported culture of intimidation and delay tactics that have impacted not just this project, but others across the state.
While attention now turns to restoring momentum on the Centenary Bridge build, the financial and emotional toll of the setbacks continues to be felt—by the crews on-site and the commuters stuck in the queue.
Published 19-July-2025
