The Neville Bonner Bridge has touched down at Queen’s Wharf Brisbane bringing the city’s largest lifestyle and cultural precinct at South Bank even closer to the CBD.
After two years of construction, the final deck section of the 320m pedestrian bridge over the Brisbane River was installed overnight.
Named in honour of Australia’s first federal Indigenous parliamentarian, the Neville Bonner Bridge has already become a beacon for cross river connection linking South Bank to the dining and retail level of the new entertainment and tourism resort and flowing through to George Street.
The Star Entertainment Group Managing Director and CEO Robbie Cooke said the bridge touchdown marks a significant milestone in the $3.6 billion transformational development.
“The unique and elegant design of the sweeping bridge mast, which peaks at more than 75 metres above the river – the same height as the Story Bridge, has already proven to be an iconic addition to the Brisbane skyline,” Mr Cooke said.
“Once open this new bridge infrastructure will help advance Brisbane’s connectivity and accessibility for both locals and visitors ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“We have forecast 10,000 pedestrian crossings a day when it opens to the public as part of the precinct’s staged opening later this year,” he said.
“It will be a lasting connector for the city and play a significant role in the active transport route recently unveiled by the Queensland State Government as part of its Olympic infrastructure legacy.”
Destination Brisbane Consortium Project Director Simon Crooks said the last deck unit weighing 20-tonnes and 10-metres in length was fitted into place to complete the bridge platform.
“The construction of the Neville Bonner Bridge is an engineering feat masterfully bringing design and technology together,” Mr Crooks said.
“More than 1,000 tonnes of complex fabricated structural steel together with the suspended and cable stayed elements has been formed into what is undoubtedly Brisbane’s newest river centrepiece.
“The majority of construction has taken place from cranes positioned on river barges, and working closely with marine authorities, the numerous overnight installations reduced impacts to Brisbane’s growing river traffic.” Work on the bridge will continue with lighting, paving, shading elements, and side facade panel installation as well as safety testing.
Fitzgerald Constructions Australia Qld State Manager Liam Robertson said his team is extremely proud of their achievements in planning, assembly and construction of the Neville Bonner Bridge whilst keeping the Brisbane River functional.
The $3.6 billion Queen’s Wharf Brisbane development is being delivered by Destination Brisbane Consortium – a joint venture led by The Star Entertainment Group alongside its Hong Kong-based partners, Chow Tai Fook Enterprises and Far East Consortium.
It is the first development in Brisbane to be awarded the coveted 6-Star Green Star Communities rating in recognition of its social, environmental, and economic sustainability designs that will benefit locals and future visitors to this world-class integrated resort development.
1.4 million additional tourists are expected to visit Brisbane each year when the development commences a staged opening in December 2023.
Neville Bonner Bridge fast construction facts:
Design: Grimshaw/WSP
Builder: Fitzgerald Constructions
- Permanent steelwork – 1000tonnes (superstructure and bridge deck)
- Temporary steelwork – 900tonnes (including temp piles)
- Concrete – 2750m3 insitu concrete, 550m3 precast concrete
- Overall height of the mast – 77m above mean sea level
- Total length of multi-stranded suspension cables – 1,200m
- Total length of strands within the cables – 22,700m
- Stairs and DA compliant ramp at South Bank landing
- Connects to restaurant and retail level 4 of integrated resort with escalators/lifts toWilliam and George Streets
