Tag: Houghton Highway

Hornibrook Bridge: 90 Years of Connecting Communities in Queensland

Photo Credit: State Library of Queensland

With nearly three kilometres stretching over Moreton Bay, the Hornibrook Bridge was once the longest road bridge in the Southern Hemisphere, forever changing travel and community life on Queensland’s Redcliffe Peninsula.

Read: Redcliffe Hospital Overhaul: 210 New Beds and Expanded Services Confirmed

A Historic Engineering Feat

The Hornibrook Bridge was a crucial link between Brisbane’s northern suburbs and the Redcliffe Peninsula for over 40 years, stretching nearly three kilometres across Moreton Bay. Built during the Great Depression from 1932 to 1935, it was the longest road viaduct in the Southern Hemisphere at the time. 

Photo Credit: State Library of Queensland
Photo Credit: State Library of Queensland

Led by engineer Emanuel Richard Hornibrook, the bridge used local hardwoods like ironbark and tallowwood, supported by concrete piers. Its distinctive Art Deco concrete portals and hump-backed design earned it the nickname “Humpity Bump,” while greatly reducing travel times and supporting Redcliffe’s development.

Connecting Communities and Boosting Growth

Before the Hornibrook Bridge, Redcliffe was isolated from Brisbane, reachable only by ferry or long, often difficult road trips. The bridge provided a direct road connection, encouraging people to visit, settle, and invest in the area. 

Photo Credit: State Library of Queensland
Photo Credit: State Library of Queensland

This new link boosted tourism, business growth, and daily accessibility for residents. It also helped establish regular commuter bus services, making jobs across Moreton Bay more accessible.

Challenges and Changes Over Time

The Hornibrook Bridge operated as a toll bridge until the mid-1970s and became a strong symbol of connection for locals. As traffic increased, the need for additional bridges led to the construction of the parallel Houghton Highway. 

Photo Credit: State Library of Queensland
Photo Credit: State Library of Queensland

When the Houghton Highway opened in 1979, the Hornibrook Bridge closed to vehicles but remained open to pedestrians and cyclists. Due to maintenance costs and safety concerns, most of the bridge was dismantled in 2011 despite efforts to preserve it.

Celebrating a Lasting Legacy

Photo Credit: State Library of Queensland

The Hornibrook Bridge will mark its 90th anniversary on Saturday, 4 October 2025, at Redcliffe Museum from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon. His granddaughter, Julie Hornibrook, will speak about the family’s connection and the bridge’s Art Deco design.

Read: Pink Campaign Continues At Cactus Jack’s Redcliffe This October

The mostly demolished bridge was key to Redcliffe’s growth. The event is sold out, but a waitlist is available for anyone interested in attending.

Published 2-October-2025

Redcliffe Pelican’s Tragic Death Sparks Calls for Change on Houghton Highway

A pelican’s agonising death on the Houghton Highway has ignited demands for safety modifications to prevent further tragedies.

Read: Redcliffe Leads the Way in New Developments: Key Projects to Watch in 2025

Warning: Some photos associated with this incident may be distressing to readers.

The bird was found suspended from a street light, its beak fatally entangled in anti-perching wires.  Distressed motorists, witnessing the heartbreaking Redcliffe and Brisbane roadway scene,  pulled over and alerted authorities.

Wildlife rescuers, including Twinnies Pelican and Seabird Rescue, expressed profound sorrow at the pelican’s needless suffering. They confirmed the bird had likely been trapped for up to five hours before succumbing to its injuries.

Helen Powers, a long-time advocate for bird safety in the area,  explained that the pelican, weighing approximately 7kg, probably became ensnared while attempting to land and balance the wires. She labelled the incident “unacceptable” and renewed calls for immediately removing the hazardous wires.

Powers stressed the responsibility of local authorities, including the Department of Transport and Main Roads, to respond to community concerns and implement preventative measures. She urged them to “put their thinking caps on” and find solutions to protect wildlife.

This is not the first time bird-deterrent spikes have caused harm. Local residents recalled a similar incident on Bribie Island Bridge, where community pressure eventually led to the removal of the harmful deterrents.

Environmental experts, like Richard Ogden from the Bribie Island Environmental Protection Association, highlighted the broader dangers to wildlife in the region. Mr Ogden pointed to the impact of urban development on bird habitats, stressing the importance of maintaining safe spaces for native species to thrive.

The rescuers urged government officials and local councils to prioritise wildlife safety by replacing the current deterrents with humane solutions. They also encouraged residents to report wildlife emergencies promptly to ensure quicker responses.

Read: ‘Bizarre Blocks’ in Woody Point Puzzle Locals Amidst Tent City Tension

The Chermside Fire and Rescue crew eventually retrieved the deceased pelican.  Twinnies Pelican and Seabird Rescue emphasised the importance of prompt public action, encouraging individuals to report incidents immediately, even if they suspect others have already done so.  They stressed that the pelican should not have suffered for such an extended period.

Published-24-January-2025