Length:

41 km

Termini:

Northern: Bruce Hwy (M1) and New Settlement Rd (unnumbered), Deception Bay

Southern: Barry Pde (SR15), Brunswick St (SR15 and unnumbered) and St Pauls Tce (unnumbered), Fortitude Valley

Suburbs, Towns & Localities Along Route:

Fortitude Valley, Bowen Hills, Albion, Ascot, Clayfield, Nundah, Virginia, Boondall, Deagon, Bracken Ridge, Brighton, Clontarf, Kippa-Ring, Rothwell and Deception Bay

Current: 26

Multiplexed with: 20 27 71

Former: M1 1 1

Road Authority Internal Classification: ¹

U88 (Clayfield to Bracken Ridge)

U99 (Bracken Ridge to Brighton)

120 (Kippa-Ring to Rothwell)

121 (Rothwell to Deception Bay)

122 (Brighton to Clontarf)

123 (Clontarf to Kippa-Ring)

General Information:

State Route 26 connects the Brisbane CBD with the northern suburbs along the shores of Moreton Bay.

The route is a mix of divided and undivided roadway, and features the Ted Smout Memorial Bridge over Bramble Bay, which parallels the remains of the timber bridge that formed the Hornibrook Highway.

Australia's longest bridge, the Ted Smout Memorial Bridge is named after Queensland's longest-surviving World War I veteran, who lived until June 22, 2004 when he died at age of 106. He served until 1919 in France and Belgium. He was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 1978, France's Legion of Honour in 1979, was made the Australian Citizen of the Year in 1979 and Brisbane's Citizen of the Year in 2000. ²

The Ted Smout Memorial Bridge has 78 spans at 35.2 m per span with a total bridge deck length of 2746 m. Each span consists of eight Super-T girders around 35.2 m in length and weight of about 82 t each. Each pier has two 1500 mm diameter cast in-situ piles with a load capacity in excess of 1400 t each. ³

James (Jim) Edward Harim Houghton was elected Mayor of Redcliffe in 1955. He held this position for nine years before resigning to become the first Member for Redcliffe in the State Parliament. He resigned from Parliament in 1979. In 1979 the Houghton Highway bridge opened and was named in his honour. ⁴

The Hornibrook Highway was a 294 span, 2684 m long bridge predominately consisting of a timber superstructure (decking, girders, corbels) supported by a reinforced concrete substructure. The bridge deck was covered by a thin layer of asphalt. The bridge which crossed Bramble Bay was built as a toll bridge by the firm M.R. Hornibrook Pty Ltd. The construction of the bridge provided much needed employment during the depression of the 1930s. When it was constructed, the Hornibrook Highway was the longest road viaduct over water in Australia. ⁵

State Route 20, for 550 m, Nundah.

State Route 27, for 3 km between Brighton and Clontarf.

State Route 71, for 4 km between Rothwell and Kippa-Ring.

Northern Moreton Bay Tourist Drive, for 8 km between Rothwell and Kippa-Ring, and also between Brighton and Clontarf.

1932: Work begins on the Hornibrook Highway Bridge. ⁶

4 October 1935: The Hornibrook Bridge opened to traffic. ⁵

1975: The forty year toll period ended on the Hornibrook Bridge in 1975, at which time the ownership and maintenance responsibility reverted to Main Roads. In 1979 the Hornibrook Highway was closed pending refurbishing. When closed to traffic, a closer investigation of the Hornibrook Highway was possible. This revealed that deterioration of the bridge was more advanced than previously believed. ⁵

1977: Construction begins on Houghton Highway bridge. The Houghton Highway bridge was funded entirely by the Queensland Government, and was constructed by Barclay Brothers of Brisbane. ⁴

1979: Hornibrook Bridge closed to traffic. ⁷ By the 1960s, traffic had increased significantly and the decision to build a new bridge was made in mid-1974. ⁴ Opening of Deagon Deviation. ⁸

29 March 1979: Markwell Street Bridge opened. ⁸ The bridge was constructed to cater for the once proposed Northern Freeway through Brisbane. The freeway would have run from Fortitude Valley (Story Bridge) to Kedron to pass under Markwell Street Bridge. The freeway was scrapped due to a significant volume of protests. ⁹

20 December 1979: The original Houghton Highway bridge opened to traffic. ⁴

3 September 1982: Houghton Highway Safety improvements to bridge including traffic signals, variable message signs, emergency telephones and street lamps. ⁸

May 1996: Deception Bay Road duplication to four lanes (Lipscombe Road to Bay Avenue) began. ⁸

1997: Deception Bay Road duplication to four lanes (Lipscombe Road to Bay Avenue) opens to traffic. ⁸

May 1999: Sandgate Road Upgrade to six lanes between Robinson Road East and Toombul Road at Virginia. ⁸

2001: Construction of the Nundah Bypass Tunnel. ¹⁰

2002: Electronic lane control system on original Houghton Highway bridge becomes operational. The system consisted of a system of lights and changeable message signs was linked to Main Roads Woolloongabba traffic management centre. ¹¹

May 2007: Construction of turning lanes along Deception Bay Road between Tallowood Drive and Tallagon Court. ⁸

July 2008: The first foundation piles of the Ted Smout Memorial Bridge were installed in Bramble Bay. ¹²

19 November 2009: Nundah Tunnel officially named 'George Bridges Tunnel' as part of Queensland's 150th birthday celebrations The name was chosen in honour of European pioneer George Bridges who in 1855 selected land on the eastern side of the then Brisbane to Sandgate Road. Mr Bridges farmed and cleared the land to build a hotel on it. Mr Bridges also re-routed Sandgate Road across his land, where traders could set up their businesses - transforming Nundah from a farming district to a business centre. ¹³

15 July 2010: The Ted Smout Memorial Bridge, linking Clontarf on the Redcliffe Peninsula and Brighton on the Brisbane side, opened to traffic. ⁶

19 August 2011: Houghton Highway Upgrades to existing bridge and Hornibrook Highway intersection. ⁸

2019: Deagon Deviation reconstruction extinguishes M1 duplex at Bracken Ridge.

Click or tap here for the former alignment between Fortitude Valley and Deception Bay

Fortitude Valley to Deception Bay

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on Inner City Bypass at Bowen Hills, June 2012.

Image © Justin Cozart

Abbotsford Road Interchange:

Inner City Bypass in Bowen Hills at the Abbotsford Rd (SR26) interchange, June 2012.

Image © Justin Cozart

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Bowen Hills, approaching Burrows St, March 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Bowen Hills:

Abbotsford Rd (SR26) as it passes through the suburb of Bowen Hills, near Albion Rd & Lever St, March 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on Sandgate Rd (SR26) approaching Bonney Av, Clayfield, March 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Entering Clayfield:

Sandgate Rd (SR26) as it enters the suburb of Clayfield and AD sign approaching Oriel St, March 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Trailblazer:

SR26 trailblazer on Sandgate Rd (SR26), after Oriel St at Clayfield, March 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Trailblazer:

SR26 trailblazer on Sandgate Rd (SR26), at Clayfield, March 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign on the corner of Zillman Rd and Junction Rd in Hendra, showing access to SR26 via Junction Rd, May 2005.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on Junction Rd at Clayfield approaching Junction Rd (SR20) and Sandgate Rd (SR20 / SR26), May 2005.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on Sandgate Rd (SR26) approaching Junction Rd (SR20) at Clayfield, March 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Intersection Directional Sign:

AD style sign as an ID sign at the intersection with Junction Rd (unnumbered and SR20) at Clayfield, March 2013. The SR20 duplex starts at this junction.

Image © Paul Rands

Intersection Directional Sign:

AD style sign as an ID sign at the intersection with Junction Rd (unnumbered and SR20) at Clayfield, March 2013. The SR20 duplex starts at this junction.

Image © Paul Rands

Reassurance Directional Sign:

Distance sign at Clayfield, after Junction Rd (SR20 & unnumbered), March 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on Sandgate Rd (SR20 / SR26) approaching East-West Arterial Rd (M7) in Clayfield, March 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Intersection Directional Sign:

Non-standard ID sign at the interchange with East-West Arterial Rd (M7) at Clayfield, March 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Trailblazer & Advance Directional Sign:

Trailblazer and AD sign on Sandgate Rd (SR26) approaching Beams Rd and Stanworth Rd at Boondall, May 2005.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign approaching Hornibrook Hwy (SR27) and Brighton Park at Brighton, January 2011.

Image © Rob Tilley

Houghton Highway:

Houghton Hwy (SR26 / SR27) as it crosses Bramble Bay via Ted Smout Memorial Bridge, January 2011.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign approaching Elizabeth Av (SR26) and Hornibrook Esp (SR27), January 2011.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign approaching Elizabeth Av (SR26) and Hornibrook Esp (SR27), January 2011.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Clontarf approaching Hornibrook Esp (SR27), August 2020.

Image © Alexander Czarnecki

Reassurance Directional Sign:

Distance sign at Rothwell, May 2005.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on Deception Bay Rd (SR26) approaching the interchange with Bruce Hwy (M1) at Deception Bay, August 2009. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Michael Greenslade from June 2006.

Image © Rob Tilley

Bruce Highway Interchange:

Bruce Hwy (M1) interchange at Deception Bay, August 2009. This is also the northern terminus of SR26.

Image © Rob Tilley

Deception Bay to Fortitude Valley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on Old Gympie Rd, approaching Deception Bay Rd (SR26) and New Settlement Rd, Burpengary, June 2006.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign at corner of Deception Bay Rd (SR26), New Settlement Rd and Old Gympie Rd at Burpengary, June 2006.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign facing Bruce Hwy (M1) traffic at the Deception Bay Rd (SR26) interchange at Deception Bay, January 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign facing Eastern Service Road and Wayper Way traffic at the junction with Deception Bay Rd (SR26) at Deception Bay, August 2009. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Michael Greenslade from June 2006.

Image © Rob Tilley

Distance Sign:

Reassurance directional sign on Deception Bay Rd (SR26) at Deception Bay, January 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Black Advance Directional Sign:

Black AD sign on Deception Bay Rd (SR26) at Rothwell, approaching Anzac Av (SR26 / SR71) and Anzac Av (SR71), May 2005.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Reassurance Directional Sign:

Distance sign at Rothwell, May 2005.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on Anzac Av (SR26 / SR71) approaching Klingner Rd at Kippa-Ring, January 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Supplemental Advance Directional Sign:

Supplemental AD sign on Anzac Av (SR26 / SR71) approaching Klingner Rd at Kippa-Ring, January 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Klingner Road:

ID sign at the corner of Anzac Av (SR26 / SR71) and Klingner Rd (North Moreton Bay Tourist Drive), January 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on Anzac Av (SR26 / SR71) approaching Boardman Rd, Anzac Av (SR71) and Elizabeth Av (SR26) at Kippa-Ring, January 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Intersection Directional Sign:

AD style ID sign at the junction with Boardman Rd, Anzac Av (SR71) and Elizabeth Av (SR26) at Kippa-Ring, January 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Distance Sign:

RD sign on Ted Smout Memorial Bridge, as Houghton Hwy crosses Bramble Bay at Brighton, July 2010.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign approaching Hornibrook Hwy (SR27) and Brighton Park at Brighton, July 2010.

Image © Rob Tilley

Reassurance Directional Sign:

Distance sign placed in median at Deagon, May 2005.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on Sandgate Rd (SR26) at Virginia, approaching Whitfield St, May 2005.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Black Advance & Intersection Directional Signs:

Black AD and ID signs in the Sandgate Rd (SR26) and Whitfield St interchange at Virginia, May 2005. The interchange consists of a grade-separated roundabout.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on Sandgate Rd (SR26) at Nundah approaching Rode Rd, June 2018.

Image © Rob Tilley

Supplemental Advance Directional Sign:

Supplemental AD sign on Sandgate Rd (SR26) approaching the unnumbered section of Sandgate Rd at Nundah, June 2018.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on Sandgate Rd (SR26) approaching the unnumbered section of Sandgate Rd at Nundah, June 2018.

Image © Rob Tilley

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign on the ramp from Buckland Rd onto Sandgate Rd (SR26) at Nundah, August 2018.

Image © Rob Tilley

Supplemental Advance Directional Sign:

Supplemental AD sign on Sandgate Rd (SR26) at Nundah, approaching Airport Link Tunnel (M7) and East West Art Rd (M7), June 2018.

Image © Rob Tilley

Supplemental Advance Directional Sign:

Supplemental AD sign on Sandgate Rd (SR26) at Nundah, approaching Airport Link Tunnel (M7) and East West Art Rd (M7), June 2018.

Image © Rob Tilley

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign on the corner of Sandgate Rd (SR26), Airport Link Tunnel (M7) and East West Art Rd (M7) at Nundah, June 2018.

Image © Rob Tilley

Entering Clayfield:

Sandgate Rd (SR26) as it enters the suburb of Clayfield, March 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on Sandgate Rd (SR26) approaching Junction Rd (SR20) at Clayfield, March 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Intersection Directional Sign:

AD style sign as an ID sign at the intersection with Junction Rd (unnumbered and SR20) at Clayfield, March 2013. The SR20 duplex ends at this junction.

Image © Paul Rands

Intersection Directional Sign:

AD style sign as an ID sign at the intersection with Junction Rd (unnumbered and SR20) at Clayfield, August 2018. The SR20 duplex ends at this junction.

Image © Rob Tilley

High Vehicle Warning Sign:

Sign warning of risk of damage to high vehicles if they use kerbside lane, Clayfield, March 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Clayfield approaching Oriel St, May 2018. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands from March 2013.

Image © Rob Tilley

Trailblazer:

SR26 trailblazer on Sandgate Rd (SR26), near Oriel St at Clayfield, March 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Trailblazer:

SR26 trailblazer on Sandgate Rd (SR26), near Butler St at Clayfield, March 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Entering Albion:

Sandgate Rd (SR26) as it enters the suburb of Albion, March 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

Sandgate Rd (SR26) approaching Frodsham St, Albion, March 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Trailblazer:

SR26 trailblazer on Sandgate Rd (SR26), near Frodsham St at Albion, May 2005.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign with non-standard all caps text and missing route number near Frodsham St, Crosby Rd & Sandgate Rd (unnumbered section) at Albion, March 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Trailblazer:

SR26 trailblazer on Sandgate Rd (SR26), near Frodsham St, Crosby Rd & Sandgate Rd (unnumbered section) at Clayfield, March 2013. SR26 turns right here and becomes Abbottsford Rd.

Image © Paul Rands

Trailblazer:

Trailblazer on Frodsham St at Albion, June 2018.

Image © Rob Tilley

Brisbane Central Traffic Area Sign:

Sign denoting default parking time length in the Brisbane area, Bowen Hills, March 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on Abbotsford Rd (SR26) in Bowen Hills, near Burrows St, approaching the interchange with Inner City Bypass, June 2012.

Image © Justin Cozart

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on Abbotsford Rd (SR26) in Bowen Hills, approaching the interchange with Inner City Bypass, May 2018.

Image © Rob Tilley

Inner City Bypass Interchange:

Abbotsford Rd (SR26) at the interchange with Inner City Bypass in Clayfield, May 2018.

Image © Rob Tilley

Trailblazer:

SR26 trailblazer near Colishaw St at Clayfield, May 2018.

Image © Rob Tilley