BRISBANE ‘GREEN’ BRIDGES

The two new river-spanning bridges are for the Toowong-to-West-End, and St-Lucia-to-West-End bridges, which will cater for bicycles, e-mobility devices such as scooters, and foot traffic.

The Toowong Bridge would connect Consolidated Properties Group’s planned development at 600 Coronation Drive, if its recently lodged plans are approved, to Orleigh Park near Forbes Street.

Further up the river, a bridge will connect Guyatt Park near the University of Queensland to Orleigh Park near Morry Street.

Meanwhile, work is expected to start on the Kangaroo Point green bridge in coming months with Besix Watpac awarded the contract to design and construct the structure in September.

Construction will also start on the Breakfast Creek bridge this year with procurement under way and designs unveiled in August.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the latest designs provided a first look at the potential bridge forms and structures, landing locations and features as well as viewing areas and landscaping.

“At Toowong, a new landscaped riverfront park and landing plaza will be created, with viewing platforms and seating providing space to rest and enjoy the view of the Brisbane River,” Schrinner said.

“There will be a huge focus on maximising parkland around the Guyatt Park bridge landing in St Lucia, which will also deliver new shade, seating and viewing areas.

“At Orleigh Park in West End, the landings for both bridges will preserve existing heritage features and trees, where possible, to incorporate new and upgraded facilities such as seating, lighting and signage.”

Civic cabinet chair for transport Ryan Murphy said the preliminary business cases for each bridge showed the projects were an important investment for growth.

“The population in South Brisbane and West End is expected to grow by 120 per cent between now and 2041, and employment in South Brisbane is expected to grow by 70 percent in the same period,” Murphy said.

“Together, the new green bridges will create a vital green transport network between the growing communities in West End, Toowong and St Lucia as well as the University of Queensland.

“Currently it can take up to 20 to 30 minutes to drive between St Lucia, Toowong and the West End peninsula—the green bridges will provide a direct walking link between these suburbs and will cut travel times by more than two thirds for those riding bikes and e-mobility devices.”

Works could begin on the Toowong-to-West-End bridge as soon as 2024, subject to funding and approvals, with each bridge expected to take around two years to complete.

Property prices in Brisbane have increased 6.1 percent in the past quarter with values expected to jump further in the lead up to the 2032 Olympics.

Images via The Urban Developer