Youngs Crossing Bridge Upgrade in Joyner Promises Flood-Free Travel

For locals in Joyner, a daily drive that has too often turned into a detour will soon become more reliable, thanks to a long-awaited bridge upgrade at Youngs Crossing that promises safer, faster, and flood-immune travel. Construction officially began in July on the $86 million project, which will deliver a new four-lane bridge over the North Pine River. The works are being carried out by principal contractor Seymour Whyte with design support from HDR, and are expected to be complete by mid-2027, weather permitting.

Youngs Crossing Road has long been one of the most unreliable links in the City of Moreton Bay’s transport network. The road carries more than 20,000 vehicles a day, yet flooding has forced it to close on average for 12 days a year since 2021. In 2025 alone, drivers have already faced 14 days of shutdowns.

When the crossing is closed, traffic spills onto surrounding roads, creating bottlenecks across nearby suburbs and lengthening commutes. For residents, this means not just longer journeys but also interruptions to business operations and community life. Families often face delays getting children to school or travelling to work, while local businesses report losses due to disrupted supply routes.

The new bridge aims to put an end to these frustrations, designed to provide flood immunity at the crossing. The inclusion of additional lanes and stronger capacity for turning movements will also help the road keep pace with Moreton Bay’s rapid population growth, which is placing new pressure on infrastructure.

What the Upgrade Includes

Alongside the four-lane bridge, the project will deliver two new signalised intersections and an upgraded Dayboro Road intersection. These improvements include boosting turning capacities, widening sections of the road, and making the area safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

The design also prioritises active transport, with new walking and cycling paths planned to give residents more choice in how they travel. Safety features are being integrated into the road layout to improve visibility and reduce risk at intersections.

This focus on multiple modes of transport reflects a broader push to build infrastructure that is not only resilient to weather but also adaptable to the needs of a growing and diverse community.

Relocation of some essential utility services, including water, sewer, telecommunication and electricity, are necessary to make way for the project. Beginning February 2025, installation of electrical conduits under the North Pine River, Sideling Creek and Youngs Crossing Road have commenced, so that Energex can relocate power infrastructure to suit the new road and bridge alignment.

What Residents Can Look Forward To

For residents in Joyner and surrounding suburbs such as Petrie and Lawnton, the completed bridge will mean more than just shorter travel times. It will reduce the stress and uncertainty of wet season travel, support local businesses with more reliable logistics, and make the area more attractive for families considering a move to Moreton Bay.

The project’s emphasis on safer, flood-proof infrastructure is also expected to raise the profile of Joyner as a suburb that can sustain growth while maintaining quality of life for its residents. With the region one of the fastest-growing in Queensland, projects like Youngs Crossing are seen as critical to meeting the needs of both current and future communities.

By mid-2027, if all goes to plan, Joyner will no longer be a suburb known for a road that closes with every heavy rain. Instead, it will stand as the site of one of Moreton Bay’s most significant road upgrades, designed to deliver safety, reliability and peace of mind for years to come.

Community Voices and Leadership

Local leaders say the upgrade has been a long time coming.

Queensland’s Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg pointed to the State’s funding towards Dayboro Road improvements, saying that communities across Queensland needed safer and more reliable connections to grow. He highlighted that the inclusion of cycling and pedestrian facilities was part of ensuring the road met the demands of modern communities.

Mayor Peter Flannery described the beginning of works as historic, noting that the project had been stalled for decades in planning stages before finally moving forward with the support of all three levels of government. He stressed that the construction site in Joyner would soon become a hive of activity as crews work to deliver a flood-immune connection.

MP for Dickson Ali France said the sudden closures at Youngs Crossing had long disrupted family routines and local businesses, and that the new bridge would make a meaningful difference for generations to come.

Cr Cath Tonks and Cr Jim Moloney, echoed these views, adding that residents had been asking for the upgrade for years and would need to be patient during the construction period, as works inevitably bring some disruptions.

Locals are encouraged to keep updated through the City of Moreton Bay project page, where regular information is being posted on timelines, disruptions, and progress milestones.