Repairs to ageing stormwater culverts beneath Coronation Drive are entering their final scheduled month, with much of the work being carried out from a barge on the Brisbane River rather than from the busy road above.
Brisbane City Council began the rehabilitation project near Land Street, Auchenflower, in late June, with works scheduled to run through August 2026.
The culverts have deteriorated due to age and tidal exposure and are being strengthened to extend their operational life.
Repairs From the River
Much of the project is taking place below road level and out of sight of passing motorists.
Crews are installing new structural liners inside the existing culverts, reinforcing them without having to excavate Coronation Drive.
Most of the work is being undertaken from the Brisbane River using the barge that has been visible beside Coronation Drive in recent months. The method allows crews to reach the drainage infrastructure while avoiding excavation of the road.
Council says the approach also means traffic lanes on Coronation Drive do not need to be closed for the project.
A small temporary fenced work site has been established within Moorlands Park, while other works include cleaning drains and limited tree trimming where required.
Tides Shape the Work Schedule
Working from the Brisbane River means crews have to adjust their hours around changing tidal conditions.
Work can occur at different times across a 24-hour period from Monday to Saturday, with crews potentially starting earlier or finishing later on some days.
Council says particularly noisy work will not be carried out between 10pm and 6.30am.
People using the riverfront and surrounding area may notice construction equipment, lighting and activity at different times while the project continues.
Short Bikeway Interruptions Possible
The works can also affect pedestrians and cyclists using the Bicentennial Bikeway.
Temporary detours are in place where required around the work site, while short pauses of about five minutes or less may occur when workers, equipment or materials need to cross the path.
Coronation Drive itself remains open without traffic lane closures associated with the culvert rehabilitation.
Extending the Life of the Culverts
The project is intended to strengthen the existing stormwater infrastructure rather than replace it.
Installing structural liners inside the culverts is expected to extend their working life and reduce the need for more costly replacement works in the future.
The culverts form part of the drainage system beneath Coronation Drive, carrying stormwater through an environment also exposed to tidal conditions from the Brisbane River.
With the project scheduled to run until August, the rehabilitation has now entered its final planned stage after about two months of work beside and beneath one of Brisbane’s busiest inner-west roads.
Published 10-August-2026
