Neville Bonner Bridge touches down at Queen’s Wharf

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 320 metre pedestrian bridge over the Brisbane River was installed at the end of February.

Named in honour of Australia’s first federal Indigenous parliamentarian, the Neville Bonner Bridge has already become a beacon for cross-river connection linking Southbank 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 Storey 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.”

“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 masterfully 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, 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.