Betterment brings Bells Bridge back from the brink
In early 2022, three major floods swept through the Mary River, taking a terrible toll on Bells Bridge, a vital piece of road infrastructure in the Wide Bay region.
Spanning the Mary River at O’Leary’s Crossing just north of Gympie, Bells Bridge connects the Wide Bay Highway to the Bruce Highway and is a vital link for local residents and businesses, particularly in nearby Goomeri, as well as travellers to the region.
Opened in May 1958, the sturdy concrete bridge replaced a dilapidated wooden structure built in 1908 and named after the then Queensland Minister for Lands, the Honourable Joshua Thomas Bell.
However, successive floods that swept through the Mary River in January, February and May of 2022 severely damaged the robust bridge and called for a stronger, smarter infrastructure solution.
Floodwaters scoured nearby riverbanks, undermining the bridge's approaches, while extensive debris impacts compromised the bridge’s superstructure, and damaged guardrails made the bridge unsafe for traffic.
Because of this the bridge needed to be closed for periods, disrupting local and interstate transport and isolating small communities in the region.
In response, Queensland’s Department of Main Roads and Transport (TMR) carried out emergency works at Bells Bridge, clearing debris and stabilising the damaged guard rails and superstructure so the road could reopen under reduced speed limits following the floods.
This ensured the local community regained essential access while TMR planned a more durable restoration.
Recognising the importance of Bells Bridge to local residents, businesses and essential services, the bridge was prioritised for resilience upgrades under the 2021-22 Betterment Fund.
Betterment funding allows councils and state agencies to improve roads, bridges and floodways to better withstand the impacts of disasters, saving time and money for Queenslanders during severe weather events.
Upgrades began in April 2024, with the eastern side of Bells Bridge fortified with pile walls extending deep into the embankment, providing reinforced support against future flooding.
On the western approach, concrete armouring was installed behind the guardrails to shield the bridge’s superstructure from high-velocity flows during periods of extreme rainfall, while additional resilience works included concrete surface drainage to manage water runoff and prevent further damage
Strengthening Bells Bridge has delivered wide-ranging benefits for the Wide Bay region, ensuring highway access can be maintained in all conditions, supporting business, industries and communities.
From timber to tourism, talking supply chains or visitor stays, the positive economic impacts from the improved bridge will be substantial and long lasting for everyone living, working or travelling between Gympie, Goomeri and their surrounds.
Completed in September 2025, the Bells Bridge Betterment project demonstrates how innovative and forward-thinking reconstruction and resilience works can not only safeguard communities from severe weather but can also provide a year-round boost for productivity and liveability.
Reconstruction and Betterment works were funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments through the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
