Buoys in the river for pre-bridge location testing

Queen’s Wharf Brisbane will deliver the first bridge across the Brisbane River in more than a decade with the Neville Bonner Bridge expected to be operational in 2022.

The pedestrian bridge will stretch from the retail and food and beverage level (Level 4) of the integrated report development – where the former Neville Bonner Building currently sits above the Riverside Expressway- to the Cultural Forecourt adjacent to the Wheel of Brisbane at South Bank.

When the cable-stayed Neville Bonner Bridge is built, it will require one pylon in the Brisbane River to support the 325-metre structure connecting the CBD with South Bank.

Destination Brisbane Consortium Project Director Simon Crooks says there is a lot to consider when designing a bridge, especially one that will sit in a busy section of the Brisbane River.

“Before we finalise the detailed design for the bridge, our design team will test the pylon location by installing four temporary navigation buoys in a rectangular formation to outline the proposed area for the bridge pylon,” Mr Crooks said.

“This location will then be trialled with river users, to check manoeuvrability around the proposed structure, for approximately one month.

“Tidal changes will affect the buoys’ locations, so to measure variables we will fit GPS trackers to each buoy to help us understand tidal influences on data outcomes.

“At the end of the trial, our engineers will use the data to inform the final location and design of the bridge pylon, ensuring it can be safely and easily navigated by river users, especially the City Cats.”

Each buoy will be approximately 1250mm diameter and up to 1250mm above water level. The navigational aids will also be colour coated bright yellow, and fitted with the appropriate navigational lights to comply with maritime standards.

Destination Brisbane Consortium and its consultants are working with the Queensland Government’s Harbour Master to ensure all river users are informed of this temporary change in the river.

Mr Crooks said the landing and design of the bridge is still at a conceptual stage with further detailed design to be undertaken in discussion with relevant stakeholders.

“The pedestrian-only bridge will help link the CBD with Brisbane’s main cultural attractions, including the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, South Bank Parklands and the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

“The Neville Bonner Bridge will provide an alternative to Victoria Bridge, and will help ease pedestrian congestion on the existing cycling routes across the nearby Goodwill and Kurilpa Bridges.

“The preliminary concepts for the bridge are for a 4.5m metre wide footbridge, with an observation platform over the river, and designed as a slender, arch-like structure.

“The bridge is expected to open with the integrated resort development in 2022.”

Any river users requiring more information, please contact the Harbour Master on 3632 7500.

The following images plus more can be found at – https://www.dropbox.com/sh/x6gdjwgqj4gfn96/AACboS2WwNkwuMxvhUN5cmrUa?dl=0