Magnetic Island's Sooning Street Bridge is back and built to last

A vital transport link in Nelly Bay on Townsville's much-loved Maggie Island has reopened for the community 18 months after severe flooding washed away the former crossing.

Delivered by Townsville City Council and contractors BMD, the new $20 million Sooning Street Bridge is once again carrying residents, students, emergency services, tourists and tradies safely over Gustav Creek.

An official opening event was held this morning (24 September) on Magnetic Island, attended by Queensland Minister for Disaster Recovery Ann Leahy, Member for Townsville Adam Baillie, Townsville Mayor Nick Dametto, Councillor Ann-Maree Greaney, and Queensland Senator Nita Green.

This follows a community street party in late July that saw the first vehicles drive across the newly constructed bridge.

The new 38-metre structure has been reinforced with steel and concrete piles and rebuilt to modern standards so it can better withstand future weather events.

Fishways have been integrated into the design of the crossing to support and protect the island's marine ecosystem, ensuring the bridge meets Queensland's strict environmental standards.

A new pedestrian bridge on the Magnetic Island State School side of the road will also make the trip to school safer for local students.

Built with 14 tonnes of non-corrosive composite materials from Wagners Composite Fibre Technologies in place of 53 tonnes of steel and timber, the footbridge is a key infrastructure enhancement for the community.

The rebuilt Sooning Street Bridge was jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

The end result is transformational for Maggie Island and highlights the importance of maintaining current federal disaster recovery funding levels.