River tests for the Neville Bonner Bridge pylon location

The Neville Bonner Bridge will be an impressive addition across the Brisbane River connecting Queen’s Wharf Brisbane and the CBD directly into South Bank

When the future Neville Bonner pedestrian bridge is built, it will require one pylon in the Brisbane River to support the 325-metre structure connecting the city with South Bank.

Before detailed design for the bridge is finalised, the design team will test the pylon location by installing four temporary buoys in a rectangular formation to outline the proposed area for the pylon’s location.

This location will then be trialled with river users, to check manoeuvrability around the proposed structure, from early-July for approximately a month.

The bridge is planned to stretch from where the former Neville Bonner Building currently sits, over the riverside expressway to near the South Bank wheel.

Destination Brisbane Consortium Project Director Simon Crooks said tidal changes would affect the buoys locations with up to a 2-metre tolerance. “To improve the quality of the data, GPS trackers will be fitted to each buoy to help us understand tidal influences on data outcomes,” Mr Crooks said.

“At the end of the trial, our engineers will use the data to inform the final location and design of the bridge pylon.

“We need to make sure that what we are designing 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. To comply with maritime standards the navigational aids will be colour coated, and fitted with the appropriate navigational lights.

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.

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