This is a bridge I think will work out well. Hope it starts soon. :)



Kick-start for $63m footbridge

Tenders will be called this week for the design and construction of a second footbridge over the Brisbane River.

Premier Peter Beattie told State Parliament yesterday the $63.3 million project would complete a pedestrian cycle loop linking the city and South Brisbane via the Goodwill Bridge and Tank Street.

Mr. Beattie said $13.5 million had been allocated to start construction. He had origionally made a commitment in last year's budget to build the Tank Street Bridge.

The Goodwill Bridge has become one of the Government's success stories, with 70,000 people using it each week.

Mr. Beattie said yesterday the Tank Street bridge would link the new Millennium Arts Precinct at South Brisbane to the city.

As part of moves to entice car-mad Brisbane residents out of their vehicles, Brisbane City Council is also building a $55.5 million "green bridge" to carry pedestrians, cyclists and buses between Dutton Park and the University of Queensland.

I was hoping they would start the KP to the City bridge first.

I'm not sure about this new bridge, Victoria and the William Jolly Bridges already serve that area pretty well, and I don't think this new art gallery will have the visitors to justify a bridge for it alone.

^^I agree wholeheartedly. The pedestrians are already at Riverside and Kangaroo Point, whereas this bridge is putting pedestrians where they don't normally go.

Although it could open up the Western side of the city a bit more maybee?

Maybe they want to link the culture precinct with the new King George Square so that people and cyclists can go around in circles. Also to link the northern end of the CBD with the millenium arts precinct.

Four new bridges going up in Brissie at the same time. Who would've thunk it?

Yeah I think this bridge is a waste of money, I would rather see abridge from the CBD to KP with an eventual link to the end of Methyr Rd.

I don't like the idea of this bridge too much. For starters I think there are going to be too many in such a small area. Secondly, why build a bridge right in front of the new gallery of art? Granted its shit anyway, so maybe they're trying to hide it behind a bridge.

That last point also relates to my reason for fully opposing any sort of bridge between the City and KP. It would be a huge eyesore on probably the most viewed and scenie route of the Brisbane river. A stinking big pedestrian bridge would ruin this. I can understand the need for a link, but why not a foot tunnel, or make the cross-river ferries free.

The new art gallery is shit anyway? Thats a bit harsh. I like the facade very much and it has not even opened yet. Hopefully the contents of the gallery will be worthy! I like the idea of the foot bridge, if only because it indicates that further development in this western district is imminent. It will be interesting to see what Northbank reavelas in this regard.

I'm not too worried about ruining the view with the KP - City bridge. Everyone said the same thing about the Goodwill bridge but now we are used to it. I'm not sure if people would feel safe from muggers in an underbridge tunnel. I have walked both of London's foot tunnels and they are fine, but they are also miles out of the London city centre in relativly low population areas (I think when they were built it was to get workers to what was then the very busy docks areas).

in front of the new gallery of art? Granted its shit anyway, so maybe they're trying to hide it behind a bridge

It hasn't even finished yet!! OMG! What do you like?? I like the idea of a footbridge, the more the better for Brisbane...I also like the idea of one that links the gardens to kangaroo point.

I think that the KP - City and KP- Merthyr bridges are higher priority. But it's good to have one from the QGMA to Roma St parklands too! More ped/cycling bridges over the Brizzy River I say!

It hasn't even finished yet!! OMG! What do you like?? I like the idea of a footbridge, the more the better for Brisbane...I also like the idea of one that links the gardens to kangaroo point.
My answer to that would cop a lot of shit. But to be honest, I would have rather seen a huge matching brutalist style art gallery like the museum and QPAC. Something huge and monumental.

My answer to that would cop a lot of shit. But to be honest, I would have rather seen a huge matching brutalist style art gallery like the museum and QPAC. Something huge and monumental.

100% concur. Brutalist is good! But something more outgoing than the museum and QPAC.

why build a new bridge when there are two bridges within a very short walk?

There is not enough access across the river atm. This is very much needed, especially with Northbank going in.

Pedestrian Access across the river, is extremly nessacary especially with Southbank getting tonnes of medium density office/Resi projects, its stupid to say "Oh there are a couple bridges there"
Definitely build this.

I strongly 200% agree ^^

But build the bridges where there are no others first before you start on the one right next to 2 others.

The Goodwill bridge is OK, but other than for QUT students, who is it really for? As an East Brisbane resident I think an added-on walkway on the Captain Cook bridge would serve Woolangabba more. I don't think too many people going from the City to Southbank would use the Goodwill bridge, it starts in too obscure a place. I wouldn't walk through there late at night.

This picture shows pretty well the areas the bridge will serve, which basically looks to me like the new art gallerys only.
http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/466/vicsaerials0170ol.jpg

Exactly, its a waste of money and serves no real extra purpose over the current bridges. It basically comes down to: 5mins extra walk - or $60m+ bridge. Hmmmm, let me think.

Keep in mind that in the immediate area you've already got two approved bridges (Tank and the new toll bridge) AND a double up of the Victoria bridge on the cards.

So yes it does make you wonder.

Personally, I would rather see the William Jolley Bridge recieve better pedestrian connections at either end, it could be creatively linked to the bikeway and with some sort of light weight bridge structure could have a very interesting link to Victoria Barracks. On top of this make Victoria Bridge a green bridge with pedestrian, bike, and bus access only and amazingly there is suddenly no need to add another bridge.

I must be missing something because it makes perfect sense to me! By the time this bridge is built there will be a considerable amount of development within this vicinity completed or UC ... Not to mention the KP bridge WILL start soon regardless

I must be missing something because it makes perfect sense to me! By the time this bridge is built there will be a considerable amount of development within this vicinity completed or UC ... Not to mention the KP bridge WILL start soon regardless
So there is some development on the city side...and??? It doesn't lead anywhere. The new art gallery is not going to be a huge source of traffic. And if ppl wanted to go to Southbank or West End, it would be exactly the same to walk over to Victoria bridge.

You would think that being the fattest state in the country we would be encouraging people to walk an extra couple of hundred metres.

I think infront of the Gallery they will do the continuation of Southbank to Kurilpa Park

We need a bridge at bulimba and toowong.

Yeah a pedestrian Bridge between Toowong and West End with this Bridge would be great, as it means people at hill end would be closer to shops, and it could reduce the pedestrian congestion along the coronation drive ped/bikeway.

We need a bridge at bulimba and toowong.

We can't have one in Bulimba!! Because of our new Cruse ship terminal...

Forumers here seem to have an obsession with bridges....

Bulimba to towong would be a bloody big bridge!

hehe, I didn't mean build a bridge from Bulimba to Toowong. :)
I meant put something from Toowong to West End, and also a crossing at the end of Oxford St Bulimba over to Commercial Rd Teneriffe. This would ease some congestion on coro drive and also congestion on the story bridge as witnessed recently with that accident which closed 3 lanes.

Bulimba to towong would be a bloody big bridge!
rofl i thought the same thing.

Would be the most ridiculous bridge in the history of the world!!!!!!!!!!!!!

rofl i thought the same thing.

Would be the most ridiculous bridge in the history of the world!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dubai would do it.

Why not just pour a shitload of cement mix into the river. Itd eventually accomplish the same thing.. probably for cheaper lol.

indeed.... m2

Then we would be concrete city instead of river city.

Then we would be concrete city instead of river city.
We would, but it would save time rather than building needless bridges everywhere.

Apparently the Victoria bridge was to have shade structures errected on it when they did the refurb a few years ago, but apparently also that bridge couldn't handle any more weight.
As of it's age more than anything, the link between Turbot and the other end of this Victoria bridge at Southbank. How in the heck could you merge the two roads together at the bottom end. The traffic signals there are already buggered, they let the busses get greens all the time. Shouldn't it be better, for the govt to knock out this bridge and put a new one in its place, and in the process beautify it if they have too. That way two bridges here aren't needed. Or have a split, north bound lanes go on the new link to Turbot, and old lanes go to Queen St.

This is just a suggestion.

^^ I guess it has a bit of history in it... even though it was built in 1969.. I think it should be kept and more bridges should be built...Brisbane is sliced in two, this creates more traffic etc, etc, hence we need more foot and PT bridges...Or if you don't like bridges there is always tunnels...But look at the response to that subject as well. :bash:

Bridges in this case (A short river crossing) are better than tunnels..

Pedestrians dont want to go underground!

and youd need a spiral ramp to get low enough for the tunnel, and then a spiral back up on the other side.

There is not enough access across the river atm. This is very much needed, especially with Northbank going in.

Pedestrian Access across the river, is extremly nessacary especially with Southbank getting tonnes of medium density office/Resi projects, its stupid to say "Oh there are a couple bridges there"
Definitely build this.

dude, victoria bridge is busy, but it's certainly not at foot-traffic capacity.

the fact that there's lots of development at southbank means sfa. i work at southbank and trust me, hardly anyone walks over to the city. our time is more important than that and we have cabcharges for that sort of thing.

to me it seems pretty intelligent to say "there are a couple of bridges within 500m of this.. why build it?"... go spend the money somewhere else beattie and stop looking for another goodwill bridge?

I personally don't see a purpose for this bridge. The william jolly is close, as is victoria bridge. And there is really not much on north side of the river other than Transit Centre, and Roma St Parklands. The Goodwill bridge at least opened up so much of the inner south/east to the city/qut. I say build a bridge from Toowong to Hill End.

Der .. fark how many times has this poijnt need to me be made!???? You build the bridge because by the time it is built, and within some time after completion, there will be a shit load more poeple living within ithe vicinity of this foot bridge at either end!!! Fark - does this stupid debate have to go any further when dumb farks have to keep on making stupid passionate undergraduate statements???

Well I can understand that there are going to be a hell of alot more people living in the area within the next 10 years, I still dont think that warrants building another bridge so close between two perfectly good bridges, both of which are capable of supporting the extra pedestrian traffic.

I am amazed people are even complaining about a FOOT BRIDGE!!! GOD! Imagine if a proposed mega 10-lane each way highway was proposed next to their houses...People complain too much...learn not to, let the council do its job of improving the lifestyle and access of the city and greater Brisbane. :bash:

Der .. fark how many times has this poijnt need to me be made!???? You build the bridge because by the time it is built, and within some time after completion, there will be a shit load more poeple living within ithe vicinity of this foot bridge at either end!!! Fark - does this stupid debate have to go any further when dumb farks have to keep on making stupid passionate undergraduate statements???

Yes, this debate should go further, just to annoy you if nothing else. And by the time you reach your mid-30's you'll be in all kinds of trouble health-wise after being angered by other people's opinions. I can only imagine what kind of person you are, if this is how you react on an internet forum!

I am amazed people are even complaining about a FOOT BRIDGE!!! GOD! Imagine if a proposed mega 10-lane each way highway was proposed next to their houses...People complain too much...learn not to, let the council do its job of improving the lifestyle and access of the city and greater Brisbane. :bash:

Not complaining, just think if they're going to build a footbridge, other areas might take priority. I'm certainly not AGAINST this bridge, just don't think it's necessary, or even needed. But that's just an opinion! And you are right, at least it's not a traffic bridge (eg Hale St Bridge...)

I am amazed people are even complaining about a FOOT BRIDGE!!! GOD! Imagine if a proposed mega 10-lane each way highway was proposed next to their houses...People complain too much...learn not to, let the council do its job of improving the lifestyle and access of the city and greater Brisbane. :bash:

I agree to an extent, but it goes both ways. People (particularly on this forum, and I'm one of them!!) have been complaining alot lately about how Emerald was knocked back. Should we just let council do it's job there and not debate it, because it is going to improve the lifestyle and access to the city if it isn't approved (as is part of the reason claimed for knocking it back)? I think it's good to have a little opposition to what council's doing, if people genuinely disagree with what's going on, to help keep council "in check". Council isn't always right, and sometimes they need to know that the general population disagree. We're all only human, after all, and no one person knows what is right and what is wrong for an area where millions of people live.

I'm certainly not AGAINST this bridge, just don't think it's necessary, or even needed
^^
Well i am rater confused, but don't necessarily care...

I agree the short sightedness of some people in this thread is scary...

Complaining about a pedestrian bridge is never something you should do.

And who said its for business people!

The more links to inner city suburbs we have from the city the better.

And yes, in 10 years time there will be a hell of alot more people living, AND working in this area.

And just for the record the Victoria Bridge isnt exactly pleasant or enjoyable to cross... Which alone is of course not enough to warrant a new bridge but it goes along with other reasons.

I personally don't see a purpose for this bridge. The william jolly is close, as is victoria bridge. And there is really not much on north side of the river other than Transit Centre, and Roma St Parklands. The Goodwill bridge at least opened up so much of the inner south/east to the city/qut. I say build a bridge from Toowong to Hill End.
I think this bridge will be in a great location. Consider the increase in population along the river at West End including the redevelopment of the Pauls site, the GOMA itself which i reckon will be a BIG hit in this town. And the cycle traffic from the green bridge wanting to get into the CBD. All of this leading across the river to basically link with Roma St Station, the inner northern busway and the new cycle centre beneath King Geiorge Square. If you want to take a train from southbank you have to change at Roma St to get onto the line you want...this way you just stroll across the river and your there which will take less time.

I forgot to mention the city cat terminal currently being built at the GOMA and the traffic that will generate for this bridge.

Der .. fark how many times has this poijnt need to me be made!???? You build the bridge because by the time it is built, and within some time after completion, there will be a shit load more poeple living within ithe vicinity of this foot bridge at either end!!! Fark - does this stupid debate have to go any further when dumb farks have to keep on making stupid passionate undergraduate statements???

Where are these people going to be living, that they can't use either of the 2 existing perfectly good bridges. I am totally in favour of more bridges on the river, but there is only so much government funding, build the bridges where they can serve people better first. E.G KP to the City, KP to New Farm, West End to Toowong, etc, etc. Or spend a fraction of this new bridge money on putting a walkway on the existing Captain Cook Bridge.

See the picture below to get an idea of the area, and then point out once again where the new residentials are going to be that need the bridge, because all I see in that small area are the government art gallerys, and I think this bridge is being built solely to try and boost numbers at them.
http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/466/vicsaerials0170ol.jpg

While I agree with you totally AussieBhoy, there will be a hell of alot of people living along the west end reach of the river within the next 10 years as most of the industry is moving out and apartments are popping up. I work for a company that has its factory along that area and it is a real worry that the owner of the building is going to sell the building, because it is inevitable that a developer will buy it, which is something that I am all for, except that it is going to cost the company around $100,000 to move, but it is inevitable, this entire area is going to have a huge population boost.

I still believe that there are more important immediate options for the placement of this bridge, that said, I cant complain about another pedestrian bridge, I just hope the design is something extra special. A double Helix bridge would be sweet!!!

Where are these people going to be living, that they can't use either of the 2 existing perfectly good bridges. ........ and then point out once again where the new residentials are going to be that need the bridge, because all I see in that small area are the government art gallerys, and I think this bridge is being built solely to try and boost numbers at them.

I think you are forgetting the massive amount of space currently taken by the Parmalat/Pauls factory. I am confident that the factory will be relocated and the site ready for redevelopment within five years.

We need good connections between Southbank and the CBD. The Tank Street bridge connects between the City West precinct including Roma Street station and the new bus/rail interchange to be constructed there.

The CBD side of the William Jolly bridge is not conveniently close to anything and saying that this and the Victoria bridge are convenient alternatives neglects the fact that using either of these bridges in place of the planned Tank Street bridge would be tripling or quadrupling the distance people would need to walk.

I forgot to mention the city cat terminal currently being built at the GOMA and the traffic that will generate for this bridge.

This is the first mention I have ever heard of a City Cat terminal. As far as I know, the construction out into the river is for air conditioning systems that will use river water for cooling. Photos of this were posted previously in this thread.

Do you have any definite evidence that there will be a City Cat terminal?

I chatted to one of the guys directing bike traffic along the river there....he said they were building a city cat terminal there

I've never heard anything of the sort either. Like Duke said, the current construction is for the air con units. I can't imagine a citycat terminal would be u/c, without most of us on here knowing about it. Don't rely on traffic controllers for info, they don't know shit.

If it were a city cat terminal then you would expect to see pylons being driven into the riverbed around 20 metres out from the bank to serve as anchoring points for the floating portion of the terminal.

Oddly enough there are pylons being built into the river bed. They have metal tubes which they are filling with concrete just like the pylons for the most recent city cat terminals.

Awesome news!

^^ Are you sure? Those large copper pipes in were for the airconditioning system used and not for the alledged City Cat Terminal. The same airconditioning system is being used at Brisbane Square - 1km of pipes under the river.

so we know what we're talking about ->

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v499/danubiis/smallcoolingsystem.jpg

I thought that was part of the bridge too. It's pretty big to be for air-conditioning isn't it?

^^ That is the air conditioning unit...not the bridge.

ugly air con.

^^ lol, it will be under the river...you won't be able to see it!

I stand corected then. To my untrained eyes it looked like a pontoon of sorts and when the guy said it was a city cat terminal I didn't have cause to doubt him.
Sorry if i created a slight ripple of confusion.

With regard to whether the tank street bridge would be used or not:

1. In front of the GMA, they will be making pedestrian friendly areas all the way to the Victoria bridge, so it will feel as if it is part of Southbank. In other words you have three Southbank bridges, 1 at the start, 1 at the end, and 1 in the middle.

2. It is so much nicer to cross a bridge without traffic OR buses.

3. It will now be easy to walk to Roma Street to catch a train everywhere rather than catching a train to Roma Street and then changing service.

4. The more the merrier. I know that there would be better places to build a bridge now, but I think this is still needed nevertheless.

^^ I so agree! There are some crazy people that are doubting this bridge and frankly they are crazy :hammer:

The metal structure shown in Danubis' photo in the thread above is now being dismantled. The metal walls that were keeping the water out while the pipes and concrete were being done are being removed.

^^ I so agree! There are some crazy people that are doubting this bridge and frankly they are crazy :hammer:

Thanks.

I have no doubt that this bridge will increase pedestrian traffic to the area, but the fact that it has essentially none now just emphasises how much of a waste of money this will be.

to compare with the goodwill bridge, which certainly is a success.

1. adequate pedestrian access to the city is already provided via both Victoria and William Jolly bridges. the amount of time saved walking across this bridge will either be minimal or non-existent. this compares to the cost, which will be in the millions...and will be overbudget.
2. there is just an art gallery and the court district - neither of which are major traffic generators, unlike both southbank, QUT and the eagle street precinct.
3. almost no one lives in this area, and this isn't likely to change anytime in the future

In response to KJBrissy's comments

1. In front of the GMA, they will be making pedestrian friendly areas all the way to the Victoria bridge, so it will feel as if it is part of Southbank. In other words you have three Southbank bridges, 1 at the start, 1 at the end, and 1 in the middle.

this isn't a reason for the bridge - just a comment.

It is so much nicer to cross a bridge without traffic OR buses.

very true, but hardly a determinant considered when people decided to walk somewhere.

It will now be easy to walk to Roma Street to catch a train everywhere rather than catching a train to Roma Street and then changing service.

with the zone system it costs no more to catch a train to roma/central, and would probably be faster. Also where are you walking from? only the gallery is close by the bridge.

The more the merrier. I know that there would be better places to build a bridge now, but I think this is still needed nevertheless.

why waste money on something which will have little use, when you could improve other non-car dependant transport modes?

Time will answer your question

Time will answer your question

I agree. It is interesting that all the same arguments were trotted out when the Goodwill Bridge was being proposed.

I am confident that the Tank Street bridge will be well patronised when it is built. The fact that it is there will result in increased pedestrian traffic.

I must admit the big push for the Tank St Bridge suprising, no doubt it will be well used and successful, however I really feel they should build the Kangaroo Point one first.

However a kanagroo point bridge would pose much greater engineering and cost challenges as all bridges downstream from the Captain Cook Bridge are required to have around 30m clearance for boats.

That is my guess why they are pushing for tank st first.

In the bridges defense, I reckon it'd get a fair bit of traffic of the corrow riverside walk. Once you reach north quay it goes to shit there, under the highway, on a narrow little awful track until you get to QUT - it'd be awesome to be able to go from toowong right to south bank on a half decent route that also doesn't add an extra 2k to get to the heart of southbank.

Thanks.

I have no doubt that this bridge will increase pedestrian traffic to the area, but the fact that it has essentially none now just emphasises how much of a waste of money this will be.

to compare with the goodwill bridge, which certainly is a success.

1. adequate pedestrian access to the city is already provided via both Victoria and William Jolly bridges. the amount of time saved walking across this bridge will either be minimal or non-existent. this compares to the cost, which will be in the millions...and will be overbudget.
2. there is just an art gallery and the court district - neither of which are major traffic generators, unlike both southbank, QUT and the eagle street precinct.
3. almost no one lives in this area, and this isn't likely to change anytime in the future

In response to KJBrissy's comments



this isn't a reason for the bridge - just a comment.



very true, but hardly a determinant considered when people decided to walk somewhere.



with the zone system it costs no more to catch a train to roma/central, and would probably be faster. Also where are you walking from? only the gallery is close by the bridge.



why waste money on something which will have little use, when you could improve other non-car dependant transport modes?







Alot of people on this thread seem to think they're experts, or seem to whinge at every new development that is down the pipeline. What is still holding Brisbane back is innovative, daring projects that will grow this city up. This particular quote that the new art gallery won't be a major traffic generator is as much funny as it is stupid. Most great cities of the world have great galleries and this will be another one, and along with the whole redevelopment of our whole gallery and arts precint it will undoubtedly attract many visitors local or from afair. The only thing holding Brisbane back from taking that one last final step at the moment are negative opinions like these that are based on bullshit and old ideas...

Most people on these forums base how good a building is by how farking tall it is...thus people will deride the museum for being crap simply on this criteria...a bit sad really - but they will get over it after pubity starts to ease

Most people on these forums base how good a building is by how farking tall it is...thus people will deride the museum for being crap simply on this criteria...a bit sad really - but they will get over it after pubity starts to ease

....not to mention who it's built by!! *laughs* :jk:

Most people on these forums base how good a building is by how farking tall it is...thus people will deride the museum for being crap simply on this criteria...a bit sad really - but they will get over it after pubity starts to ease
I never expected or wanted the gallery to be tall. Its just a shocking, cheap design.

I like it.... its a bloody huge space just to devote for modern art... i dont think sydney and melbourne would have anything near the size for the sole purpose to display modern art. im quite suprised that brisbane was able to pull this rabbit out of the hat quite frankly.

^^
I only know about the Sydney Museum of modern art which is tiny. I also agree that it will be interesting to see if it is pulled off well, but consider that there ist the Asia Pacific Triennial Art of Contemporary Art which is will presumably take up quite a bit of space every now and then.

Alot of people on this thread seem to think they're experts, or seem to whinge at every new development that is down the pipeline. What is still holding Brisbane back is innovative, daring projects that will grow this city up. .

I'm hardly an expert on such things and would never claim to be so, but I can express an opinion - and seemingly better than you can. I rarely state that I'm against developments and if you have been around for very long you would know this, in fact I cannot think of any other developments at the moment that I'm as much against. This bridge will certainly serve some purpose, I simply do not view what it will provide as a justification for the cost.

This particular quote that the new art gallery won't be a major traffic generator is as much funny as it is stupid.

The total attendance of the Qld Art gallery was 350,000 in 04/05, and so the most optimistic estimates I would put forward for the new gallery is 500,000. How many people visit QUT, south bank or the more commercially oriented side of the city per year? Comparatively the new gallery will not be a major traffic generator while the whole QCP might be most of that it is more easily serviced by the Victoria Bridge.

Most great cities of the world have great galleries and this will be another one, and along with the whole redevelopment of our whole gallery and arts precint it will undoubtedly attract many visitors local or from afair.

I hope it will be a great and well utilised gallery, but connection to a pedestrian bridge is not going to help this much if at all.

The only thing holding Brisbane back from taking that one last final step at the moment are negative opinions like these that are based on bullshit and old ideas..

I note that you make no real arguments supporting the bridge, presenting a single counterargument (which clearly wasn't well thought out) and otherwise simply spewing rhetoric about how wonderful it will all be if Brisbane is just "innovative". Frankly, building that which will be underused is not innovative.

Time will tell how good the museum is

Today’s City News states that there will be a pedestrian link from Roma Street Parklands to the GMA via the Tank Street Footbridge.

Moreover, this months Style Magazine implies that the bridge is partly being built because of the new Magistrates courts.

^^This wil probably create plenty of traffic for the bridge. Good setup

North Bank is gooing to be developed (http://www.northbankbrisbane.com.au/index.html) so a new foot bridge would fit in extreamly nicely to the whole project and i find there no reason for it not to be succsefully in moveing more people across the river. The easier it is for people to walk to work the grater the amount of people who will do it. It may only be 500 meters but that 500 meters would have a huge affect on peoples perception on the issue. Also who wants to walk on a bridge with cars and buses, i know i wouldnt.

I think that there should be many more bridges in Brisbane. It will give more of that Parisian feel! Bridges are great, especially if they are all different in styles. Really unique and we have the opportunity in Brisbane with the river being the central focus. West End / Southbank is certainly booming and the need for bridges is getting more important. I think there should be another foot bridge from Hawthorne to New Farm Park!

Lets have bridges everywhere!

Bring it on - this is awesome

Speaking of walking via the river, would it be a completely ridiculous, extremely expensive exercise to have a very extensive floating boardwalk as a pedestrian/cyclist transit system? At a stretch, it could have light rail using the track as well.

I guess the boardwalk exits/stations could be Portside, Breakfast Creek, Newstead River Park, Teneriffe, New Farm, CBD, North Bank, Coronation Drive, Toowong, Guyatt Park, UQ etcetera...it would be in competition with the Cat, but I would presume it would become a definitive landmark. And would really draw our Urban Villages to the river.

However, I presume this 20km structure belongs in the "fantasy" section and the billions of dollars would be better spent on land light rail.

^^Remember the floating boadwalk fiasco around New Farm???

on the note of bridges, I think zsteel must have had foresight into an article in the "Tables" section of the Weekend Australia. A Foodie section, nevertheless, it was a restaurant review of a Parisian styled restaurant in Brisbane, and it highlighted BCC's want of many foot bridges to emulate the set up on the Seine in Paris!

I think you have to be a little realistic and practical when it comes to bridges. Brisbane River is a lot wider than that river through Paris. Any bridge(s) crossing the Bulimba stretch of the river would have the massive. I think it will be a long time before there are any Bulimba/Newstead or Hawthorne/New Farm crossings.

Remember the floating boadwalk fiasco around New Farm???

In what way was/is it a fiasco? I heard some financial concerns a while back, but every weeknight between about 5-8pm, it is packed with commuters (I would assume a busy morning peak hour as well), and on Sundays full of families and kids riding bikes. I think it is a good original idea.

The floating walkway at New Farm costs a fortune to maintain.

^^ whilst providing popular city recreational infrastructure that citizens are willing to pay for to keep it in service.

Can we please have this merged with the other Tank Street Bridge thread.

Thanks.

I live in West End, and I hope the bridge won't be built too early before Montague cleans up its act. I tried walking from West End to the William Jolly Bridge a couple of months ago, boy, was that pedestrian hostile.

Given Montague as it is, any bridge in the upper left part of the peninsula is just not going to help us out since it is virtually impossible to walk from the lower West End to upper West End along the river. One must navigate back to Melbourne street to avoid getting intoxicated by industrial waste, run over by cars, followed by homeless, so forth and so on. Upper Montague is just a huge mess.

^^That's where the new plan comes in. That should clean a lot of that up a bit.

On the subject of bridges, took some pictures from KP today, and this bit here looks to me like a bit of preliminary setting up has been done for the proposed New Farm to KP pedestrian bridge.

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/3348/p4190001ow1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/3224/p4190002aa2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

you're right... it does look a little suspicious.

Guys - this is nothing more than urban scaping. I run past here every second day and its just a lookout, railing, drink fountain, solar powered lighting and little deck in line with the scaping in that area of the river. This is the part of the river where you have to go inland for one block between the Sydney Street ferry terminal and the start of the floating walkway. It's a pretty little area and I can see from the photo that it looks like it could be something more, but alas, I think it will be at least 2-3 years before we hear anything about this bridge even going to tender. I don't think the government will mention another footbridge publicly until Tank Street is done and dusted and even then, the next bridge in line may be Edward Street to Kangaroo Point. But I'm all for them!

A barge is doing testing ATM. Probably U/C in 3 or 4 months?

Its begun

Tank St footbridge work set to start

Work on Brisbane's newest footbridge has begun, with the Queensland government naming Baulderstone Hornibrook as the successful contractor for the project.

Premier Anna Bligh said early site works began today for the $63.3 million Tank Street bridge, with construction to begin by the end of the month.

"Today marks a milestone in the construction of this landmark project for the central business district, which will see a second pedestrian footbridge across the Brisbane River," Ms Bligh said.

The government in March unveiled the bridge's "exciting" design, which it said evoked images of sailing ship spars and rigging.

The bridge will link Brisbane city to the new Millennium Arts Precinct at the Queensland Cultural Centre, completing a pedestrian and cycle loop between the city and South Bank via the Goodwill Bridge.

Baulderstone Hornibrook was selected and announced as the preferred tenderer to design and construct the Tank Street Bridge six months ago.

The government will hold a public naming competition for the bridge before it opens by late 2009.

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/queensland/tank-st-footbridge-work-set-to-start/2007/10/01/1191091018252.html

Work has started on this baby as tank street at the river end is now one way with the construction taking place on the southbound lane.

The merging from North Quay onto the Tank St (?) on-ramp to the riverside expressway has now been closed off forcing North Quay traffic to merge at Elizabeth Street. This also stops excessive merging between North Quay and Coronation Drive!

The government will hold a public naming competition for the bridge before it opens by late 2009.



Rape Track Bypass 1

Sorry Bridge? After all it's just next to the Jolly Bridge, and the Goodwill Bridge isn't far off.

^ haha. i think that bcc needed to sort out the already congested traffic flow into the cbd from coro drv / milton rd before blocking off more streets to construct the 'sorry' bridge...

Bollocks. this bridge is how you sort out the congested traffic flow. Don't even get me started on the Hale Street Bridge!

why cant we just leave it as 'tank st bridge' .

why cant we just leave it as 'tank st bridge' .

For the same reason we had to rename the green bridge.

Tank St Bridge sounds cool I reckon.

Foundations are looking pretty hefty, i can now see this will be quite high over North Quay.

Could someone please change the title of the thread to U/C

Could someone please change the title of the thread to U/C

its not like it hasnt being under construction for 4 months now!

Rape Track Bypass 1

hahahah i love it!

and could some kind soul please post a pic or two?

Isn't that the chopstix bridge?

yes the "chopstix" i was driving through yesterday but couldn't take a pic.

i went past about 1 month ago, and i couldnt really see anything to take a photo of.

^^ theres a bit of work going on at the end of tank street and next to the expressway. mostly pile driving but they are making a fair mess. tank street is now only one way off north quay and has been for a month or two now.

baulderstones have also consumed some of the INB worksite on george st for the bridge site office.

Pics (Once again from my phone camera):

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h11/KJBrissy/29022008002.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h11/KJBrissy/29022008004.jpg

^^ theres a bit of work going on at the end of tank street and next to the expressway. mostly pile driving but they are making a fair mess. tank street is now only one way off north quay and has been for a month or two now.

baulderstones have also consumed some of the INB worksite on george st for the bridge site office.

Is the INB worksite next to the Magistrates Courts? If so, I wonder where all these site offices will be moving once demolition/site remediation/construction begins for the Brisbane Supreme Courts, as I imagine there'll be a bit of an overlap.

^^ yep. the entire site is currently consumed by the site offices for INB and Tank St. The INB opens in May so the INB site will most likely pack up and move on. this makes way for the supreme court tower. the tank st bridge site occupies land that is proposed to be the civic plaza

Wed 5th March 2008

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/1213/p2130078mj2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/9028/p2130080kb7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/8305/p2130081aa0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

No mucking around of this.

Has anyone seen a decent render of how the bridge will meet up with Tank St?

Monday 24 March 2008

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/3313/p3030022kv7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Has anyone seen a decent render of how the bridge will meet up with Tank St?

no, the renders that are on the website are pretty poor.

from what i understand though, the bridge will start midway up Tank Street with a straight gradual incline across the expressway.

If you take a quick walk on Tank St, it's fairly obvious how it will work.

Look up Tank St, towards the river:

http://members.optusnet.com.au/chrismayhew59/IMG_5900small.jpg

26/4/08:

http://ozfrog.thehoddlegrid.net/brisbane/april2008/TankStreetBridge20080426.jpg

Thanks for all the updates OzFrog. Hope you enjoyed your stay!

what a pissweak banner on that barge!

Sun 4 May 2008

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/2378/p3210080hk2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Was going for a run on the Bicentenial Walkway and got diverted up onto North Quay. Saw the main pillars to hold up the bridge in Tank Street are completed and pilling was being done at GoMA. Will try to get back next week for pics.

Monday May 19, 2008

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk120/MrWelsh/Tank%20Street%20Bridge/IMG_1588small.jpg
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk120/MrWelsh/Tank%20Street%20Bridge/IMG_1590small.jpg
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk120/MrWelsh/Tank%20Street%20Bridge/IMG_1591small.jpg
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk120/MrWelsh/Tank%20Street%20Bridge/IMG_1592small.jpg
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk120/MrWelsh/Tank%20Street%20Bridge/IMG_1593small.jpg
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk120/MrWelsh/Tank%20Street%20Bridge/IMG_1600small.jpg
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk120/MrWelsh/Tank%20Street%20Bridge/IMG_1599small.jpg
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk120/MrWelsh/Tank%20Street%20Bridge/IMG_1598small.jpg

Much appreciated Mr. Welsh

Looks a bit more schizoid than i recall.

^^ Those are some awesome pics, thanks for posting! Love the 1st and 5th ones - really gives you a good idea on how it will look!

Jeez! Those poles are a hell of a lot larger than I thought they were from the original piccies. This bridge is going to be one huge focal point...

Notice the artist's impression is reversed in the second last image? Gumbies...

Thanks Mr. Welsh.

Yeah I noticed that too shortly after I posted. You guys are welcome, I'm glad you enjoy the photos.

I do like the new end treatment on the sth brisbane side. before it just ended and had an angular ramp jutting out the side, but now it just flows down in a more >insert architecture words here< sinuos(?) manner.

I really do like the concept of this bridge a lot!

I think it looks fantastic, im pretty sure there will be plenty of people who hate it, but it is definetly pushing the design boundaries..

somebody has probably already asked or explained... but do all those nice poles and wires actually support anything structually? or are they all aesthetic?

I believe they're structural - google "tensegrity".

Taken on tuesday
http://img53.imageshack.us/img53/8581/dscn1353ga3.jpg
http://img388.imageshack.us/img388/5653/dscn1354lv6.jpg
http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/8320/dscn1355ee5.jpg

somebody has probably already asked or explained... but do all those nice poles and wires actually support anything structually? or are they all aesthetic?

They are 100% absolutely structural elements. It won't stay standing without them, but having said that, it will in no way work as complex as what it seems and there are probably a few redundant members in there to make it "look more complex" and wanky - the architects doing - a bit like the birds nest olympic stadium.

If you have a elevation view of the bridge and mark all the columns in red and all the cables in green which end at the base of the columns, these bad boys are the critical members. Others will help out in numerous other ways, but can't tell until seeing it in real life.

its coming along quickly!

Blurry photos...it was getting dark.

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk120/MrWelsh/IMG_2059.jpg
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk120/MrWelsh/IMG_2060.jpg

oh wow, i dont think i like the green, i dont remember seeing that on the renders?

^
What? The green thing is the barge.

ahahahahaha. funny tocc. funny.

They are 100% absolutely structural elements. It won't stay standing without them, but having said that, it will in no way work as complex as what it seems and there are probably a few redundant members in there to make it "look more complex" and wanky - the architects doing - a bit like the birds nest olympic stadium.

If you have a elevation view of the bridge and mark all the columns in red and all the cables in green which end at the base of the columns, these bad boys are the critical members. Others will help out in numerous other ways, but can't tell until seeing it in real life.

The whole Birds Nest stadium is an overcomplicated wank but I don't think this bridge can fit into the same category just yet. This project not only has Arup working on the structural engineering but it also has a fairly conservative budget, so I'd be surprised if there were even a few purely ornamental elements. Then again, this isn't a simple bridge going at an even grade in a straight line, so if the structural resolution looks a little unbalanced, a little cosmetic work might be in order.

What's the latest with this bridge?

This media statement gives an idea, I haven't looked closely myself.

Joint Statement:

Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh

Minister for Public Works, Housing and Information and Communication Technology
The Honourable Robert Schwarten

Sunday, July 13, 2008

NEW BRIDGE REACHES ACROSS MAJOR INNER CITY ROADS

Massive concrete beams will be lifted across one of Brisbane’s busiest roadways this week as work on the $63.3 million Tank Street pedestrian and cycle bridge starts to take shape.

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said two large concrete beams, each 25 metres long and weighing 55 tonnes are due to be lifted over North Quay by Friday.

The beams will support the bridge deck from the city to Kurilpa Point.

Ms Bligh said the delicate operation posed a major logistical challenge but was a spectacular example of the level of construction in south east Queensland.

“We are spending $1.6 million every hour of every day building and re-building infrastructure in this state - sometimes we have to do that in tight spaces,” she said.

“Make no mistake, there is little room for error here with around 150,000 vehicles crossing the Riverside Expressway every day.

“But this has been planned down to the last millimetre and by the end of the week motorists on the Riverside Expressway will be able to see some concrete evidence of the record levels of construction happening in this state.”

Contractor Baulderstone Hornibrook will soon start installing precast concrete spans from Tank Street to two newly erected piers.

The bridge spans will be supported by one pier located in Tank Street and by another pier between North Quay and the Riverside Expressway.

Minister Robert Schwarten said his department had worked tirelessly developing ways to limit traffic disruption and flow during the operation.

“Work on the North Quay overpass superstructure will mean alternative traffic arrangements at night from July 15 to17 and staggered night shifts through to July 31,” he said.

“Every effort will be made to minimise any inconvenience to motorists.”

Two one-thousand-tonne barges are on the Brisbane River as pile driving continues on the southern side of the river.

“On the southern-side a pre-cast concrete structure will be erected following completion of piled foundations so we can pour concrete for the second of the bridge’s two main river piers,” added Minister Schwarten.

The new bridge will allow cyclists and pedestrians to travel from Brisbane city to the new Millennium Arts Precinct at the Queensland Cultural Centre.

The bridge is on schedule to be completed in September 2009, in time for Queensland’s 150th anniversary celebrations.

In the first of the traffic changes, single lanes of North Quay and the Riverside Expressway will be temporarily closed from 10.00pm to 5.00am on Tuesday the 8th and Wednesday the 9th of July, to enable pier protection works.

City-bound motorists on North Quay will be detoured via the Expressway to the Elizabeth Street off-ramp.

Further alternative traffic arrangements will be in place at times during August and September 2008.

Additional information may be obtained from the Tank Street Community Liaison Advisor on 0438 733 289. For traffic reports, call 13 19 40.

Premiers (07) 32244500

From: http://www.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=59145

I drove by it this morning (heading south on Coro Dve/Sth East Freeway), and they were putting up support structures (not sure of the technical name...) over North Quay to hold the walkway from either side. It's starting to look like a bridge now!

This media statement gives an idea, I haven't looked closely myself.



From: http://www.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=59145

I drove past today and the concrete beams that make up the floor were I think complete over North Quay from the Tank St Pier to the pier next to the expressway. This section has taken shape!!!!

photos from today:

http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/8283/dscn1476wa9.jpg
http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/7637/dscn1483cp9.jpg
http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/6858/dscn1487ap4.jpg

sweet thanks for the photos, i wont be back in Australia for another 3/4 months so hopefully i will be able to see something substantial by the time i get back.

cant wait to see all these projects in Brisbane.

Well hey, someone might be able to answer this for me, today I saw a sign on George Street saying that there would be no through access on Tank Street until December 2008.

Now from what you can see in my first photo, there is clearly only room for one lane through there, and that's only going to be for traffic coming from North Quay surely. Does anyone know what might be happening in relation to a reorganisation of Tank Street?

The only possible option which i could think of was maybe they were going to allow through access through Northbridge, because there is a significant sized hole in the building which you probably could fit a road through, but to me that seems kind of stupid.

Not 100% sure, bt from what I understand, Tank Street will become two dead end streets. One of the dead ends, from North Quay will service Evolution, the other will run until the Northbridge/400 George Entrance and the entrance to the carpark underneath the Police building.

walked pass there today
going good
but i dont get how the bridge is going to reach the city side
under the Riverside Expressway or above?

^
above.

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii194/Blackcaldera/10th%20August%2008/IMG_3825.jpg

walked pass there today
going good
but i dont get how the bridge is going to reach the city side
under the Riverside Expressway or above?

Have you seen the original Willy Wonka movie? They're using that technology from the first room in the chocolate factory where it shrinks from big to small and then you pop out a tiny little door into a much larger room, which in this case is the Roma Street precinct. It's quite an expensive option but well worth it :-)

Taken today

http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/1788/p6300019tq3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/8817/p6300020ws5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/1497/p6300022sf6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/1656/p6300025eh4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/7931/p6300029rw3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/3963/p6300033py1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Good, both river piers are well above the waterline now. I would imagine this project (like many in Brisbane atm) is ahead of schedule?

That last pic looks great! That side of town is finally getting some action - what a great addition to the city.

Taken this morning

http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/3488/p8030006jd4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/5261/p8030008yd7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/2379/p8030009dp9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/1373/p8030011wx8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/4721/p8030015hl6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/8980/p8030016mt0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/5139/p8030020kk0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Ahh I wonder why the river barge had disappeared for a week or so - looks like they picked up the outer concrete pile cap facade.

this bridge is going to be so good for that area of the city

Does it worry anyone else that this bridge will basically meet the back end of GOMA? I don't think there's even a proper entrance on that side of the building.

^^Well I'd imagine that they'll open one up when the bridge is finished.

Does it worry anyone else that this bridge will basically meet the back end of GOMA? I don't think there's even a proper entrance on that side of the building.

There is an entrance on that side, it just opens onto the park level rather than the first level.

And the bridge isn't really designed to serve GOMA if I remember correctly, rather Kurilpa Point and West End as well as the Gallery and the CBD.

Yesterday

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/1070/p8190069ge0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/1248/p8190072ev5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Any updates? It's starting to take shape...

Nothing significant yet.

Very large barge mounted mobile moving up the river this morning. Ready to lift steelwork sections also on the barge into place on the bridge.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l228/johnthay/IMG_8151Large.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l228/johnthay/IMG_8154Large.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l228/johnthay/IMG_8155Large.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l228/johnthay/IMG_8156Large.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l228/johnthay/IMG_8159Large.jpg

wow that's a great view you've got there Duke!

Nice Duke.

PS - have you finished celebrating the demise of Northbank yet :)

^^ I was about to mention that Duke must be more ecstatic than the rest of us about Northbank.

What is the estimated completition date for this bridge?

project completion scheduled for September 2009, in time for Queensland's 150th year anniversary celebrations.

http://www.publicworks.qld.gov.au/showcase/tankstbridge.cfm

I say we leave it as is and pitch this as the world's first hovercar bridge, think of the smart state publicity!

http://www.publicworks.qld.gov.au/images/projects/tankstbridge/tankst_viewday_large.jpg
Im pretty keen to see how the design of this bridge turns out, it runs the risk of looking 'messy' with the beans and cables running everywhere

Yes, interesting design but fiddly. It is a bit out of sinc with the other bridge structures and their arches, this adds more more complexity rather than having a flow of arched bridges. As a result the river tends to disappear under it all. Kind of makes the space above the water cluttered.

yeah i have never really made my mind up about this bridge. I have the same reservations as Brizzy Mike and TOCC. I am waiting until it is completed and i will give it some time to grow on me before i make up my mind whether i like or dislike it.

I drove over the Riverside Expressway this afternoon, the bit that will go over the road is starting to take shape.

Well they're closing off the Riverside Expressway at nights or over the weekends now aren't they???

It's good, allows them to do heaps more work.

I'd be pissed off if I lived on the lower levels of Evolution - there is some serious noise being made on site after midnight.

well you dont move to the CBD if your after the sound of the wind through the trees or birds singing in the morning.

Im pretty keen to see how the design of this bridge turns out, it runs the risk of looking 'messy' with the beans and cables running everywhere
Yeah I agree, I haven't seen that pic before but I think I'll need to wait until it's finished. The Goodwill bridge was also controversial in it's design as well, but it's grown on me.

The picture is pretty inaccurate anyway, look at all the people on it! :lol: Seriously though, I don't know who would actually use this bridge? Obviously some would, but I'd be surprised is its even half as busy as the Goodwill...

We heard the same comments coming from 'progress bashers' when they were constructing the Goodwill bridge "who will ever use it?" "what a waste of money" "hospitals have no beds" blah blah. The knockers should move somewhere quiet and boring where nothing ever gets built or proposed.

Sunday 16th Nov 2008

A heap of photos, some quite similiar, but with the beautiful city backdrop I couldn't help but post them.

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/612/p9110004gp2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/7872/p9110005zw9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/1455/p9110008qz7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/3935/p9110010mr3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/5020/p9110012or4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/9277/p9110013tf4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/8711/p9110014jo8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/7411/p9110016yp2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img392.imageshack.us/img392/1278/p9110017ue5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/4409/p9120030ui6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/9783/p9120032jj8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/445/p9120034ew6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/4415/p9120036wl9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/179/p9120039gw4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

This is by far the project I'm most excited about in Brisbane. It almost makes up for the entirely unnecessary monstrosity being built a few hundred metres upstream.

Beautiful. Um. Sort of clunky really.

According to the Sunday Mail, its officially going to be called 'Kurilpa Bridge'.

^^I like it, thats a good, sensible, name. I'll change the thread title. Heres an article from a local paper:

Georgia helps name new Brisbane bridge (http://redland.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/georgia-helps-name-new-brisbane-bridge/1368574.aspx)
DANIEL HURST 24/11/2008

GEORGIA McDonald sifted through 1500 public suggestions as part of a gruelling process to choose a name for a new pedestrian bridge being built over the Brisbane River.
The 16-year-old Ormiston resident was part of a high-level committee that settled on Kurilpa Bridge as the name for the bridge between the Gallery of Modern Art at South Bank and the city's business district. Kurilpa is the Aboriginal name for West End.

Georgia, who joined Premier Anna Bligh, the State Government's chief architect Philip Follent and and Sunday Mail editor Liz Deegan on the selection committee, said she was happy with the final name as it was among her top 10 selections.

The Ormiston College student gained the opportunity to have a say in the historic decison by winning an ABC Radio promotion. She promised to represent young people on the committee, offering a link between the past, the present and the future. The State Government had sought public suggestions on what the new bridge should be called, a process that threw up 1500 suggestions.

Georgia had to short-list the suggestions to her five favourites. Her top selections included Edinglassie Bridge, the original name of the Brisbane settlement apparently based on a combination of Edinburgh and Glasgow, and Harmony Bridge, a continuation of the theme started by the other Brisbane River pedestrian crossing, the Goodwill Bridge.

Georgia said there were also some silly, unusual and sarcastic suggestions. The idea was not Another Effing Bridge. Someone suggested it should be called the Bad Harry Bridge, in a play on words of the Goodwill Bridge and the Royal family. Before the Tank Street bridge name was made public on Sunday, Georgia was tight-lipped about the committee's selection.

According to the Sunday Mail, its officially going to be called 'Kurilpa Bridge'.

Now might be a good time to rename the Goodwill Bridge as well.

^^ why?

Yeah. The Goodwill Bridge is fine. Why would you want to rename it?

Wasnt Goodwill Bridge named after the Goodwill game?

Wasnt Goodwill Bridge named after the Goodwill game?

Yeah.


Is anyone else finding the name Good Harry bridge rather funny.:lol:

I thought it was the Bad Harry bridge.

Drove past it tonight and even in the last week it has grown noticeably

The article in the Sunday mail said it would be Kurilpa Crossing, not Kurilpa Bridge, due to it being a traditional aboriginal crossing point of the river.

Kurilpa Crossing is a great name for the new bridge.
I think this will be a very popular bridge with pedestrian and cyclists. Will provide a very good direct link for the thousands of new west end residents predicted to be coming to west end in the next few years. Will encourage walking and cycling to work. Also and this is what I am excited about. The Kurilpa Crossing to Goodwil Bridge loop will be perfect for me on my lunch time runs!

I thought it was the Bad Harry bridge.

Drove past it tonight and even in the last week it has grown noticeably

Yeah sorry it was Bad Harry, you knew what I meant, you corrected me:lol:.

I'll definitely jog over this thing a couple times a week. Can't wait for it to finish.
Hopefully Eagle St to Kangaroo Point isn't too far away......

I really hope they will make an eagle st to kp bridge. They should have made it before this one. In my opinion this bridge is definitly not needed, walk five minutes in any direction and you've got 2 bridges to choose from.
In Kp you only have the story bridge which is big walk to get in the city, they probably make too much money with the ferry, so they'll never build it. :ohno:

^^ I agree that the KP to City bridge should have come first, but unfortunately it doesn't have something like the brand new government owned GoMA (Gallery of Modern Art) at one end of it.

The City to KP bridge is far more difficult however and I also think it would have less patronage.

I know this is just one of my pie in the sky ideas but it would have been WAY cool if this bridge, as in it's (across river) design, continued right across the expressway, right down Tank Street, right through the courts precinct and merged right into the official start of Roma Street Parklands entrance...

It almost will when they bridge Roma Street and do the commercial developments over the rail lines.

I know this is just one of my pie in the sky ideas but it would have been WAY cool if this bridge, as in it's (across river) design, continued right across the expressway, right down Tank Street, right through the courts precinct and merged right into the official start of Roma Street Parklands entrance...

It essentially does, there will be a crossing at George Street and then through the courts complex and there's a provisioning for a bridge across Roma Street (look above the secure entry to the courts on Roma Street...its a promenade to nowhere).

I know this is just one of my pie in the sky ideas but it would have been WAY cool if this bridge, as in it's (across river) design, continued right across the expressway, right down Tank Street, right through the courts precinct and merged right into the official start of Roma Street Parklands entrance...

like exocet said, it essentially does

The bridge will go across the expressway comes level about 1/3 the distance down Tank Stree, then you can walk across George Street into a open square on the currently U/C Supreme Court site, there will then be a pedestrian bridge across Roma Street leading into the parklands.

yeah... sorry guys, I get that, but I meant in the same design as the part over the river... not just a transfer to concrete beams etc... know what I mean? :-)

Not the biggest fan of Kurilpa Bridge name. I really liked just "Tank St Bridge"....but it's not too bad.

I know this is just one of my pie in the sky ideas but it would have been WAY cool if this bridge, as in it's (across river) design, continued right across the expressway, right down Tank Street, right through the courts precinct and merged right into the official start of Roma Street Parklands entrance...

yeah... sorry guys, I get that, but I meant in the same design as the part over the river... not just a transfer to concrete beams etc... know what I mean? :-)

I get the idea, but can't agree with extending the bridge beyond it's planned end - your concept would reduce the functionality of the bridge markably since there would be no or convoluted access from George Street, clutter the area and cost significantly more.

I'm not communicating myself well here which is a bit scary given that I am a communications officer :-)

I get that the bridge would finish where it does/will now, then come down to street level at George and people would walk across the road and probably through a courts pedestrian area and then up another structure into the Roma Street Parklands etc and that it would by no means be a continuous structure (nor should it be) but I just mean the theme... all those multi angled poles / cables / lights (the striking design) over the actual river, it would be good (I think) if that same theme continued along the route. A bit like a lose version of the grand arbour at South Bank or the QSM runway ground lights... a visual / theme / guide to the whole thing. It would be quite unique to have such a theme running through 3-4 other themes. I don't know, just an idea.

I'll shut up now.

I agree totally - and I understood you the first time, so your communication is not *that* bad :P

If we're going to be completely anal about it, should the title be changed to Kurilpa Crossing instead of Kuripla bridge?

Are you 100% sure it will be called that? I think most people will just call it Kurilpa Bridge or Tank St Bridge regardless.

^^ According to the posts on the last page that's now the official title of the bridge. (Personally I still like tank st bridge)...

I read the article in the Sunday Mail but I can't remember if it said Crossing or Bridge. If it did say Kurilpa Crossing, is there any other source which confirms this (remember this is the Sunday Mail). There are several reliable sources which say Kurilpa Bridge:

ABC local radio: http://blogs.abc.net.au/queensland/2008/11/its-the-xxxx-br.html?program=brisbane
Dept of Public Works: http://www.publicworks.qld.gov.au/about/news.cfm

Personally I think I like Kurilpa Crossing better - it has alliteration going for it :)

Noticed today that the first angled post is up on the city side. Its much higher than I had expected, this is going to stand out alot!!!!!

I like how the new Kurilpa Crossing and the Goodwill bridge with both be distinct as pedestrian bridges. I drove past that first post today, it is very tall!

From Sunday: You surely won't be able to miss this one. Then again that's pretty true of most bridges.

http://www.mynetimages.com/dfdfce1e.jpg

If we're going to be completely anal about it, should the title be changed to Kurilpa Crossing instead of Kuripla bridge?

They've changed the name on the fencing on the Kurilpa approaches work site to "Kurilpa Bridge" so I guess that's almost official.

In fact they've done it in at least two places.

I like how the new Kurilpa Crossing and the Goodwill bridge with both be distinct as pedestrian bridges. I drove past that first post today, it is very tall!


Two posts up this morning.

J

The city side is going up fast now!

3 posts up now!!!

any piccies anyone!?

WOOHOO!!!! 4 posts up this morning....I am loving this bridge, something new every day!!!

thats crap, i drove past on sunday morning and there were no posts up, 4 days later and there are 4 posts up..

^^ yep. It's steaming ahead now.

the expressway is closed around midnight tonight for more work on the bridge, its really steaming along now

Stop teasing me and post some bloody photos! :P

Taken this morning

http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/7348/p9230003lz2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/7669/p9230004mo5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/660/p9230006hu7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/4107/p9230007dd4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/1281/p9230008ou0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

bloody hell - they're huuge! This is going to be one imposing bridge when completed.

its like a giant meccano set... or did they buy it flatpack from ikea?

It's different. It's interesting. I like it. A lot.

Beats some boring 'it serves its purpose and thats all that matters' river crossing like the Hale St Link will be. Brisbane needs more exciting things to look at.

It's different. It's interesting. I like it. A lot.

Beats some boring 'it serves its purpose and thats all that matters' river crossing like the Hale St Link will be. Brisbane needs more exciting things to look at.

agreed,

even if it doesnt turn out looking great, at least they have tried to push the boudaries away from a standard river crossing.

get it painted, get it lit up with lighting and get all the stainless steel and glass finishing on it and it'll look terrific - looking forward to it

I like it :)

I love it! I love how tall those beams are and also how the edge of the deck curves up - lovely! Thanks for the pics Aussie Bhoy!

I have just been loking at the Kurilpa bridge from my office window.... The city side beams are very impressive, very tall. I was thinking that they wont dominate the landscape, but I am having 2nd thoughts. Especially on the Kurilpa side. If the beams that side are the same side GOMA will look tiny! Does anyone know if the porcupine posts will be the same height all the way across the bridge?

according to the render they will be, they will be at differnt angles though so they might not be as imposing

Here's a comparison of my picture from Saturday with one Mr Welsh posted a few pages back

http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/4107/p9230007dd4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk120/MrWelsh/Tank%20Street%20Bridge/IMG_1593small.jpg

Great comparison there Aussie Bhoy, pretty much got it perfect. From that I would say that the two poles currently erected from that photo will be some of the tallest of the bridge. Should be interesting to see this one evolve, although I am partly surprised there are some of these poles up so early compared to the progression of the rest of the bridge.

...although I am partly surprised there are some of these poles up so early compared to the progression of the rest of the bridge.

I imagine they'll be used to support the bridge as it's built - a little bit like a suspension or cable stayed bridge has its towers built first and deck extends from there.