Market bridge ripe for a Betterment rebuild

Construction is underway on a Betterment project to improve access in and out of Brisbane Markets, Rocklea during severe weather events.

Curzon Street Bridge will be raised by 1.2 metres and strengthened to improve its disaster resilience and protect freight access to the markets in times of flooding.

Other key elements of the improvement works include a retaining wall to elevate the road, a reinforced steel and concrete deck on the bridge, pedestrian access, a new gatehouse and entry controls, and extensive electrical and communications infrastructure.

A full road reconstruction will also be carried out, ensuring surrounding infrastructure is as high quality as the new bridge.

Each year more than 700 million kilos of produce is moved through Brisbane Markets, at a total value of over $2 billion.

Trade at the markets, Queensland’s only central fruit and vegetable market and the third largest central market in Australia, was severely disrupted by flooding in 2011 and 2022, with bridge access cut for days at a time.

Raising Curzon Street Bridge will give market tenants more time to remove valuable produce and equipment offsite ahead of an anticipated flood event, reducing stock loss and impacts for traders, and allowing for a faster return to operations after floodwaters recede.

The resilient upgrades will protect valuable ag supply chains and the local economies and thousands of jobs that rely on the market trade.

This Betterment project is being delivered by Brisbane Markets with funding support from the Australian and Queensland Governments via the $450 million Queensland Resilience and Risk Reduction Program (QRRRP).

The QRRRP is made possible through the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Under the QRRRP, annual Betterment investment is being guaranteed for Queensland, with $80 million earmarked for key disaster resilience projects across the state.

Construction of the new Curzon Street Bridge is expected to be completed in August 2026, weather permitting.

Image supplied by Brisbane Markets Limited.