Designs for Brisbane’s new green bridges have been unveiled with Brisbane residents invited to have their say on the proposals.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the new concept designs for the Toowong to West End and St Lucia to West End Green Bridges illustrate how they would significantly improve walking and riding in this part of Brisbane.
“We are committed to investing in new walking links across the Brisbane River because this will connect more parts of our incredible city, making Brisbane an even better place to live and visit,” Cr Schrinner said.
“These latest designs have been developed after we received more than 4000 pieces of feedback on alignment options for each bridge earlier this year.
“These new concept designs are based on what residents told us were their preferred alignments and provide a first look at the potential bridge forms and structures, landing locations and features as well as viewing areas and landscaping.
“At Toowong, a new landscaped riverfront park and landing plaza will be created, with viewing platforms and seating providing space to rest and enjoy the view of the Brisbane River.
“There will be a huge focus on maximising parkland around the Guyatt Park bridge landing in St Lucia, which will also deliver new shade, seating and viewing areas.
“At Orleigh Park in West End, the landings for both bridges will preserve existing heritage features and trees, where possible, to incorporate new and upgraded facilities such as seating, lighting and signage – a win for the local community and residents who love this park.”
Cr Schrinner said community feedback would play a key role in delivering the bridges, helping to inform the final designs and detailed business cases for the projects.
“We encourage those who know the area best – the locals – to come and have their say on the concept designs by completing our online survey or coming along to an information session to share their feedback,” he said.
“We want to know your thoughts on landing locations, landscaping and design features, walking and riding facilities and, of course, the overall bridge design.”
Civic Cabinet Chair for Transport Ryan Murphy said the preliminary business cases for each bridge showed the projects are an important investment in our transport network, providing greater access to support significant population and employment growth in the area across the next 20 years.
“The population in South Brisbane and West End is expected to grow by 120 per cent between now and 2041, and employment in South Brisbane is expected to grow by 70 per cent in the same period,” Cr Murphy said.
“Together, the new green bridges will create a vital green transport network between the growing communities in West End, Toowong and St Lucia as well as The University of Queensland.
“Currently it can take up to 20 to 30 minutes to drive between St Lucia, Toowong and the West End peninsula – the green bridges will provide a direct walking link between these suburbs and will cut travel times by more than two thirds for those riding bikes and e-mobility devices.”
Cr Murphy said the delivery of both bridges would be staged, subject to funding and approvals.
“Previous consultation undertaken on both bridges clearly indicated many residents see the Toowong to West End Green Bridge as a higher priority for Brisbane,” he said.
“In response to this feedback, we will deliver the Toowong to West End Green Bridge first.
“Works could commence on the Toowong to West End Green Bridge as soon as 2024, subject to funding and approvals, with each bridge expected to take around two years to complete.”
As with the current bridges built in the last few years, the lack of sun protection is again serverely lacking. I walked over the Goodwill bridge on the weekend and the roof, or part roof, was next to useless. Whoever is making these decisions, please walk over the bridges in the middle of the day in summer. The sails in the images will do practically nothing, not worth spending money o0n them. Please do this one properly.
Just remind me why we need to spend $300million on a bridge to an already over crowded suburbs any way.
Yes overcrowded suburbs need more bridges to uncrowd the overcrowded roads. So more walking bridges is great for overcrowded places. Shade, definitely lacking and needed on more places in our “sub tropical” UVI-13 climate. People wont be walking around anywhere, getting skin cancers and sweat stains, when they can glide around in air conditioned comfort, inside their car or Uber, even if it takes longer.
I agree -more bridges for the inner western overcrowded suburbs is much needed and well justifies the $300 million spend.
West enders get access to a shopping centre AND train station plus major bus artery. Which is a much needed plus considering the lack of public transport on their peninsular.
Uni students get more renting options across the river: it opens up the whole of the west end for them.
And if you’ve ever biked it to UQ from the city, swapping those heart-stopping hills of St Lucia for two leisurely bridge crossings will be a boon for both Uni commuters and e-bike tourists.
The only thing I’d want to see is more greenery -widen the bridges at mid span and add some planter boxes amongst the seating
Imagine if they built these Bridges for cars. Brisbane could make a major impact on it road congestion. Especially when a major incident cripples the network.
A complete waste of money building these just for cyclists and pedestrians. Eventually they will need to build road Bridges next to these are some point in the future. 300 million wasted
Great to see more investment into pedestrian bridges as these will provide long term solutions for accessing St Lucia, Toowong, and the West End areas more sustainably. Would be interesting to see a proposal for connecting Bulimba with Tenerife as this could prove to be a great connection route for pedestrians and cyclists in the future.