Exclusively a railway crossing, it is located between the stations of South Brisbane and Roma Street, linking the northern and southern elements of the Queensland Rail City network.

By 2016 it was expected to be over capacity, leading the Queensland Government to announce the Cross River Rail project.

[4][5] At the opening with 850 guests, the Premier, described the occasion as "the start of the second stage in the history of Queensland Railways".

It was designed by Cameron McNamara Pty Ltd (consulting engineers) and was fabricated and erected by Transfield.

As far back as 1885, the then Engineer-in-Chief for the Southern Division Railways arranged for the trial rail survey being done in South Brisbane to be extended across the river to the main western line near Countess Street.

[6] Worried at losing trade to central city businesses, the merchants of South Brisbane fought against the bridge.

Surveys and plans were finalised in 1954, and in 1955 the State Government announced its decision to proceed with the construction and initiated land resumptions.