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

A vital transport link in Nelly Bay on Townsville's Magnetic Island has reopened 18 months after the 2024-25 disaster season destroyed the original crossing.

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

The 38-metre bridge is reinforced with steel and concrete piles and rebuilt to modern standards, so it can better withstand future weather events.

Fishways built into the structure support the island's marine ecosystem, helping the bridge meet strict environmental standards.

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

Using 14 tonnes of non-corrosive composite materials from Wagners Composite Fibre Technologies in place of 53 tonnes of steel and timber, the footbridge is also part of the rebuild project.

The bridge is back as a lifeline for residents, emergency services and local businesses, and for the thousands of visitors who travel to the island each year.

Sooning Street Bridge was officially reopened today (24 September) by Queensland Minister for Disaster Recovery the Hon Ann Leahy MP, Member for Townsville Adam Baillie MP, Mayor of Townsville Nick Dametto, Townsville Councillor Ann-Maree Greaney, and Australian Senator Nita Green.

The rebuilt Sooning Street Bridge was jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) and shows why disaster recovery funding is so important to Queensland communities.