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The Cost of a Shorter Commute

While the Go Between Bridge provides a direct path from Coronation Drive to the streets of West End and South Brisbane, the price of this convenience is under fire. Motorists across the city are expressing their frustration through a formal petition to the State of Queensland. This movement follows a series of price hikes that have seen the cost of using the city’s tunnels and bridges climb higher. 

On 1 January, tolls on the Airport Link increased by 33 cents to a total of $7.16. many people feel that these charges are becoming a heavy burden, especially since the bridge serves as a local link rather than a major highway into the central business district.

Traffic Woes and Infrastructure Debts

The push to drop these fees comes as new data shows Brisbane drivers are spending more time than ever stuck in traffic. During 2024, the average commuter lost 84 hours to road congestion, which was a 14 per cent increase from the year before. While some argue that making the bridges free would help clear local streets, others suggest that the situation is more complex. 

Public policy experts from the RACQ stated that these tolls are used to pay back the massive debts from building the roads. They suggested that without this private funding, there would be less money available for Queensland to build new transport projects in the future.

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Searching for a Fairer Path

The debate has also touched on other famous landmarks, including the ageing Story Bridge. There were discussions in 2025 about whether a new toll there could fund much-needed repairs, potentially raising more than $205 million a year if set at the same rate as the Gateway bridges. However, local leaders have previously questioned why certain routes, like the one leading to West End, carry a fee when they do not even take drivers into the heart of the city. 

For now, the State of Queensland is following its standard procedures to review the public petition, which has already gained 1,509 signatures, while the community continues to ask for a broader look at how South East Queensland funds its major roads.

Published Date 11-March-2026

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