A cross-river connection between Kangaroo Point and Brisbane City is one-step closer with the preliminary business case revealing more than 5000 people would use it to cross the river every weekday.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the Kangaroo Point Pedestrian Bridge would be the first of five new bridges that would help take traffic off our roads and make it easier for people to get around Brisbane.
“The preliminary business case for the Kangaroo Point Pedestrian Bridge confirms the project is a feasible, value-for-money investment in our transport network,” Cr Schrinner said.
“This new bridge presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to improve the way people travel within the inner-city and the preliminary business case revealed up to 5300 trips would be taken per weekday, which will make it even more popular than the Kurilpa Bridge.
“It is also estimated the bridge would result in nearly 84,000 fewer cars using river crossings each year.
“This is the first of five new cross-river bridges that will make Brisbane better connected and easier to get around.
“We were pleased to deliver this business case with the help of a State Government grant and hope the State continues to offer support as we progress plans for the four other bridges to be built at Toowong to West End, St Lucia to West End, Breakfast Creek and Bellbowrie.
“These bridges will not only tackle traffic congestion, but are part of my vision for a cleaner, greener and more active Brisbane.”
Public and Active Transport Chair Krista Adams said the Kangaroo Point Bridge would deliver more convenience, better access and more choice when it comes to travel, making active transport a more attractive option for both residents and visitors.
“This project will also create opportunities for new and vibrant spaces at the bridge’s landing points and improve access to the river,” Cr Adams said.
“A bridge linking Kangaroo Point and the CBD was originally proposed in the 1860s but the 1890s economic recession and the financial devastation from the 1893 floods meant it was never built.
“We are now looking forward to kicking off community consultation in November and hearing what residents think about the possible design and locations.
“I encourage everyone to have their say or attend one of the community information sessions and help us plan this exciting new connection for our city that will get people home quicker and safer so they can spend more time doing what’s important.”
Background
- Cost estimate – $190 million (subject to consultation and detailed design).
- Brisbane City Council will fund at least two-thirds of the project and seek contributions from the State and Federal Government for the balance of the funding.
- Subject to community feedback, funding and government approvals, construction could commence in 2021, with expected completion in 2024.
- The preferred alignment is Scott Street, Kangaroo Point to the Brisbane Botanic Gardens at the corner of Alice and Edward Street, CBD.
- Alternate alignment is Thornton Street, Kangaroo Point to the Brisbane Botanic Gardens at the corner of Alice and Edward Street, CBD.
Details of the five new green bridges
- Kangaroo Point Green Bridge – Pedestrian/cycle bridge.
- Toowong to West End Green Bridge – potential pedestrian/cycle/public transport bridge.
- St Lucia to West End Green Bridge – potential pedestrian/cycle/public transport bridge
- Breakfast Creek Green Bridge – Pedestrian/cycle bridge connecting Kingsford Smith Drive Riverwalk into the existing Riverwalk network.
- Bellbowrie Green Bridge – potential pedestrian/cycle/public transport bridge, with emergency access.
Other Green Bridges
- These new green bridges will complement next year’s conversion of Victoria Bridge to a green bridge for the Brisbane Metro with additional space for pedestrians and cyclists.
- The Neville Bonner Bridge, built by Star, will connect pedestrians from Queen’s Wharf Brisbane to South Bank.
- In 2006, Brisbane City Council delivered Australia’s first pedestrian, cycle and bus bridge – the Eleanor Schonell Bridge – connecting Dutton Park and the University of Queensland.
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Bring it on. Bulimba’s facilities would serve Breakfast creek, Toowong would service West End…and excellent opening up of pedestrian & bike connections to save so many vehicle trips.
Do I read correctly that Victoria Bridge will become a Green Bridge in 2020 . . meaning no vehicular access to Performing Arts Centre and surrounds. Does it mean encouraging use of the toll Kurilpa Bridge to access the other side of the river by personal vehicle?
It is a joke to call these five $500M plus, ‘green’ bridges. The Breakfast Creek bridge just seems to replicate the existing bridge across Breakfast Creek (Note, the proposed bridge does not cross the River only the Creek). The two West End bridges seem to be all about providing more options for lifestyle cyclists and walkers. The Bellbowrie Bridge links up with a State Government Research Farm???. Lastly the Kangaroo Point bridge, to spend $190M on it to reduce vehicle river crossings by 84,000 per year (when the Story Bridge alone carries about 100,000 per DAY) is a massive disservice to all those people that would benefit from an all vehicle and pedestrian toll free bridge (or three) anywhere west of Toowong. More all vehicle bridges would reduce journey times and travel distances thus providing real green and lifestyle benefits for the city and its residents.