AFTER almost 90 years of wear and tear, Logan's historic red bridge is turning heads with an eye-catching Waratah red paint job.
The lick of paint is one part of Logan City Council's rejuvenation of the structure which first opened as a toll bridge over the Logan River in 1931.
It was part of the Pacific Highway between Brisbane and the Gold Coast until 1986 when a four-lane bridge was built.
The bridge has since been used for cycling and pedestrians but is in need of an upgrade due to its age and outdated methods and materials used during construction.
Steel and concrete repair work has formed part of the rejuvenation to prolong the life of the bridge.
Logan City Council Roads and Water director Daryl Ross said there was more to the restoration project than applying a fresh coat of paint.
"We have used suspension scaffolding to get our engineers close enough to assess where repairs were necessary," he said.
"We are making significant rectifications to structural elements that were showing signs of deterioration.
"Depending on the condition of each section of the bridge, different methods of repair have been used on the concrete..."
The council's restoration project has been ongoing since March this year.
Mr Ross said it was important to preserve the Red Bridge for future generations.
"While older structures such as this one require more maintenance than modern bridges, there is still plenty of life left," he said.
"Council's investment to keep it operational for many years more still represents good value against alternatives such as demolition and replacement
