The department said it sought legal advice in relation to personal injury or property claims “when necessary” but such advice was confidential.
It also declined to reveal details of individual settlements.
Cyclists have complained the Goodwill Bridge has become dangerous since it was resurfaced in September 2017.
Photo: Supplied
Fairfax Media understands recipients had been asked to sign confidentiality agreements.
The compensation payments were welcomed by cycling community group Brisbane CBD Bicycle Users’ Group.
“It’s positive that the department is aware of the issue and that people are being injured and it’s affecting people’s lives,” said the group’s Donald Campbell.
But Mr Campbell said it was “perplexing” that when the department had resurfaced the bridge in September 2017 it had been unable to replicate the non-slip properties of earlier coatings.
“The bridge is not up to standard,” he said.
“People must be very, very careful. The [20km/h advisory] speed limit is something people should be aware of but ride to the conditions – it’s highly slippery.”
Signs on the Goodwill Bridge advise cyclists to dismount in wet conditions. An advisory speed limit was raised from 10km/h to 20km/h on advice from the RACQ.
Photo: Space 4 Cycling BNE
A department spokesman said it had obtained tests on the surface from a specialist company, Sliptest Australia, after the resurfacing works in September.
“While the test results showed that the bridge surface has a ‘very low risk’ of contributing to a fall when wet, we are concerned by the fact there have been reports of incidents on the bridge since it has been resurfaced,” the spokesman said.
“We have now engaged the Australian Road Research Board to provide advice on possible improvements, and this advice is expected imminently.
“In the meantime, as there is a very high volume of bicycle and pedestrian traffic sharing the bridge every day, we have installed signs asking people to use caution and for cyclists to dismount when wet.”
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Mark Solomons is an investigative journalist for Brisbane Times.
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