Perhaps you’ve rushed by on the road many times. Now, let’s take a closer look at the remarkable Bowen Bridge. This isn’t just another bridge, it’s a piece of Brisbane’s history. The Bowen Bridge stands as Brisbane’s first overpass of a railway level crossing. That’s right. Before this, traffic had to wait for trains to pass. Imagine the congestion.
The Bowen Bridge’s story began in 1941. This was a time of significant population growth and increasing car use. The city needed a solution to ease traffic flow on major roads. This bridge was that solution. The Bowen Bridge eliminated the level crossing on the Exhibition Branch Railway line. It greatly improved access to the city. People saw it as an excellent northern entrance to Brisbane.
But let’s rewind a bit. In 1935, signals were installed at the busy Bowen Road level crossing. Electric trams were already far outnumbering trains then. The Bowen Bridge road was widened between Gregory Terrace and the new Women’s Hospital during 1939-40. This prepared the way for the overpass.
The Queensland Government took charge of the Bowen Bridge road viaduct project. Construction was well underway by the end of 1940. A reinforced concrete bridge and embankment was built to carry all road traffic including trams. This went over the former exhibition railway level-crossing. It was quite the undertaking.
Interestingly, relocating services like water and electricity made up half the project’s cost. Savings were achieved by using rock from the hospital’s wall on the Breakfast Creek Canalisation Works. Resourcefulness at its finest. In late 1940, tenders were called to dress the stone wall on Bowen Bridge Road near the General Hospital. This included a new access road and drainage work. The widening of Bowen Bridge Road from Herston Road to Butterfield Street also began then. The entire Bowen Bridge project finished in December 1941.
The Bowen Bridge has seen many changes since then. The intersection of Bowen Bridge Road and Herston Road has been modified several times. In 1999, a contract was awarded to design, construct and maintain the Inner City Bypass. The tunnel running below the Bowen Bridge area opened in November 2001.
Now, observe the bridge’s design. The approach walls extend from near Bowen Park to the old Queensland Museum grounds. The northern approach features a battered porphyry wall on the eastern side. This wall increases in height as it nears the bridge. Atop the wall, there’s a concrete barrier with recessed arched panels. The western side has a replica of the original balustrade. The reinforced concrete bridge has four spans. Its piers taper from bottom to top with a series of arches. Shallow arches connect the piers on each side.
The Bowen Bridge stands as a local heritage place. It has historical and aesthetic significance. Its gently tapering curved approach is still visible. The Bowen Bridge represents a vital part of Brisbane’s transport history. It showcases the impact of growth and progress. The Bowen Bridge blends history and functionality. It’s more than just a bridge.