Warrego Highway Upgrade Program
The Warrego Highway forms a critical part of the National Land Transport Network and is Queensland's principal east-west freight route.
Warrego Highway (Ipswich - Toowoomba), Bremer River Bridge, strengthening
The Bremer River Bridge project involves critical rehabilitation works to extend the life of the existing westbound bridge, and enable removal of the speed restrictions currently in place.
The Warrego Highway’s crossing of the Bremer River at Karalee is formed by 2 bridges, a steel girder bridge (westbound) and a concrete girder bridge (eastbound).
The Bremer River westbound bridge has been operational since January 1958 and supports around 32,000 westbound vehicles per day.
In late 2023, when fatigue cracks were identified, the Queensland Government put speed and load restrictions in place to manage loads on the bridge and reduce the risk of cracks growing, or new ones forming.
By mid-2024, we had completed emergency welding repair works and constructed median crossovers to provide a westbound travel route for oversize over-mass vehicles.
Reduced speed limits were also put in place on the eastbound carriageway to enable safe use of these crossovers.
Throughout 2024, we undertook detailed investigations, material testing and structural analysis to understand the extent and impact of the identified cracks.
Early assessments identified bridge redecking as a potential option, however detailed investigation of traffic impacts during construction prompted a search for alternate options with reduced traffic impacts for the community and heavy vehicle industry.
In mid-2025, after thorough investigations and design development, a major rehabilitation of the existing structure was identified as the preferred solution.
The preferred solution consists of a range of rehabilitation works and additional steel girders that will extend the service life of the bridge and enable removal of the current speed restrictions. This will be achieved with significantly reduced traffic impacts compared to other options.
After completion, some larger oversize over-mass vehicles will still be required to use the eastbound bridge for westbound travel, as was the case prior to the bridge defects being identified in 2023.
Proposed treatment
Benefits
- Improves safety
- Improves network efficiency
- Better road access
- Contributes to regional growth
Key features
- Install additional edge girders and cross girders
- Replace fatigue-prone welded connections with bolted steel plates
- Repair welds on approach span piers
- Resurface the bridge deck
- Upgrade the bridge safety barrier
- Retain existing bridge deck to minimise traffic impacts during construction.
Funding
The Australian and Queensland governments committed a total $85 million towards these essential works in Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program 2024-25 to 2027-28 (Investment ID 3214366).
- Total investment
- $85 million
- Australian Government
- $42.5 million
- Queensland Government
- $42.5 million
Current status
Planning is complete and rehabilitation works are being delivered.
Load restrictions and reduced speed limits will be in place until the completion of works.
Works will be continuing throughout 2026. We will provide further updates to the community as the project progresses.
Warrego Highway (Ipswich – Toowoomba), Bremer River Bridge, strengthening project location map
