Ted Smout Memorial Bridge

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to stand on a bridge that can withstand a one in 2000 year storm event? You’re standing on Ted Smout Memorial Bridge. It’s a marvel of modern engineering, designed to handle the most brutal weather conditions Australia can throw at it. The Ted Smout Memorial Bridge connects the Redcliffe suburb of Clontarf to the Brisbane suburb of Brighton. It’s named in honour of Ted Smout, a World War I veteran who lived in Sandgate. The bridge is part of a larger project that includes the Houghton Highway; they were Australia’s second longest bridges for a while before a new bridge opened in New South Wales. The Ted Smout Memorial Bridge is impressive in its scale: it’s 2.7 km long and took a whopping 120,000 tonnes of concrete to build! It stands five to six metres above the water level to ensure it stays high and dry even during the highest tides. The bridge has a special design; not just for its resilience but also to make sure pelicans don’t land on the poles that light up the bridge! It’s a unique bridge that perfectly blends practicality with a touch of whimsy. You can see the reflection of the clear blue sky in the water below and admire the graceful curves of the Ted Smout Memorial Bridge. It’s an amazing feat of engineering that provides a vital link between the two communities. And if you ever get the chance to see it for yourself, don’t forget to look for the pelicans! You never know, you might spot one of these majestic birds perched on the bridge’s unique poles. It’s a sight that’s just as unique as the bridge itself.