History Riverside Expressway

the expressway @ night

construction on riverside expressway began in late 1968, when pylons bridge laid on north bank of brisbane river. built on former short street provided access wharf. bridge completed in 1975 southeast freeway holland park. brisbane river used source gravel make of concrete used in construction.

2006 appearance of cracks

during september , october 2006, roadworks occurred on expressway, , surrounding structures, including captain cook bridge. maintenance on these structures had not been done since construction in 1970s. on 17 october 2006, parts of expressway closed due safety concerns regarding hairline cracks in alice street , ann st ramps.

the initial conclusion reached engineers hairline fracture, measuring on 2 metres long , 0.4 mm wide, caused stress on structure due weight of both ramps [now] balanced on 1 bearing , failing shift weight other bearings designed.

this road closure caused widespread delays motorists travelling through inner city. public transport facilities heavily utilised travel work @ peak periods. business activity in brisbane central business district affected dramatic reduction in customers shoppers avoided area.

on 20 october department of main roads workers drove 22 tonne truck , down ann street ramp deeming ramp have passed weight test. main section of expressway reopened, except alice st. , ann st. ramps. few days later ramps reopened heavy vehicles.