What is the Gateway Bridge in Brisbane?
The Gateway Bridges, officially the Sir Leo Hielscher Bridges, are twin road bridges carrying the Gateway Motorway over the Brisbane River. The first opened in 1986 and the second in 2010.
The original Gateway Bridge was a major engineering project, with a main span of 260 metres, one of the longest prestressed concrete box girder spans in the world at the time. It allowed large ships to pass underneath to the Port of Brisbane.
As traffic grew, a second, parallel bridge was built and opened in 2010. Today the two bridges carry traffic in opposite directions, with the newer bridge also carrying a walking and cycling path.
Name and use
In 2010 the bridges were renamed after Sir Leo Hielscher, a long-serving Queensland Treasury official, though most locals still call them the Gateway.
The Gateway Motorway links the Gold Coast and Brisbane Airport without passing through the CBD, making the bridges among the busiest in Queensland.
The bridges are part of a toll road, with electronic tolling. In some years, the popular Bridge to Brisbane fun run has crossed the Gateway, giving thousands of runners a rare chance to enjoy the view on foot.
Did You Know?
The bridges rise about 64 metres above the river, giving tall ships plenty of clearance.