Kangaroo Point Green Bridge

Kangaroo Point Green Bridge
Bridge under construction in July 2024
Carries	Pedestrians and cyclists
Crosses	Brisbane River
Locale	Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Other name(s)	Alice Street Bridge
Characteristics
Design	Steel cable stayed bridge
Total length	470 metres (1,540 ft)
Width	6.8 metres (22 ft)
Clearance below	11.4 metres (37 ft)-12.7 metres (42 ft) from high water level to the bridge deck

The Kangaroo Point Green Bridge is an under-construction pedestrian and cyclist bridge across the Brisbane River in Brisbane, Australia. The bridge will connect the suburb of Kangaroo Point with the Brisbane CBD.^[1]

The design concept for the bridge is a single-mast cable stayed structure which will align the Alice Street–Edward Street intersection in the City with Scott Street, Kangaroo Point north from the Thornton Street ferry wharf. Construction was awarded in 2021 to BESIX Group's Australian subsidiary, BESIX Watpac.^[2]

The bridge's construction cost was initially expected to be $190 million.^[3] In September 2023, it was announced the bridge would cost $299 million.^[4] 30 boat moorings on the Brisbane River were removed for the bridge's construction.^[5]

The reference design for the bridge was completed by Cox and Arup.^[6] The single-mast cable stayed structure has a length of 470 metres (1,540 feet) with a width of 6.8 metres (22 feet) reaching a height of 11.4 to 12.7 metres (37 to 42 feet) from high water level to the bridge deck, which is the same height as Victoria and Captain Cook bridges. The final design and documentation was developed by Blight Rayner Architecture and Dissing + Weitling  as part of Connect Brisbane consortium with Besix Watpac as Managing Contractor. The redesign includes the  optimisation of the 4 pronged mast by introducing a cruciform mast tie, refining the original sketch  and making it more structurally efficient. The redesign of the Kangaroo Point pier, opens up to C.T. White Park and employs a curated selection of angular  geometries to create a cohesive design.  The new design also incorporates the addition of a boutique restaurant over the river and a cafe at the city end.^[3]

The bridge construction was included in the Brisbane City Master Plan 2014 as a priority project. It was expected that the construction of the bridge would be completed within five years.^[7] On 31 October 2016, council commenced geotechnical investigative works.^[8]

In August 2018, the state government offered funding to the city council to develop a business case.^[9] In November 2020, the Brisbane City Council released Draft Reference Design Consultation Report for the bridge. A preliminary business case for the project was expected in late 2021.^[10]

Construction of the bridge began in 2021 and was expected to be completed in 2023.^[11] This date was later delayed until 15th of December 2024.^[4][12]

The Kangaroo Point Green Bridge significantly enhancesBike path connectivity between the Brisbane CBD and Kangaroo Point. It integrates seamlessly with existing and planned public transport services, facilitating easier movement between the city and eastern suburbs.

• Length and Structure.

The bridge spans approximately 460 metres with an elegant single-mast cable-stayed design, minimizing visual impact while complementing the city skyline.

• Dedicated Paths.

Includes dedicated pedestrian and cycle paths, with a minimum width of 6.8 metres.

• High-Quality Landings.

Features high-quality landing points that connect and activate communities on either side of the Brisbane River, including upgraded public realms and enhanced connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists.

• Maintenance Access.

Safetylyne’s advanced ladder cable system and Canopy Horizontal Lifelines and Static Lines play a crucial role in protecting maintenance staff responsible for the bridge's ongoing upkeep. These systems are designed to facilitate safe access while supporting Brisbane City Council’s long-term maintenance objectives, helping to preserve the landmark’s condition and potentially extending its lifespan. ^[13]

• Green Features.

Incorporates design elements like solar panels, cooling vegetation, and shade cover along the length of the bridge.

• Community Hub.

The bridge features unique dining venues such as an above-water restaurant and bar, and a riverside café, creating new social spaces for residents and visitors.

• Viewing Platforms.

Offers panoramic views of the river and city, with rest nodes for seating and shade.

• Signalized Crossing.

A new signalized crossing at Edward and Alice Streets provides safe, continuous access between the bridge and the city center.

• Bridges over the Brisbane River

• Kangaroo Point Green Bridge - Brisbane City Council
• Bridge design at the Richard Kirk Architect web page
• Bridge Structure Development at the Cox Architect web page
• Kangaroo Point Green Bridge Access Systems Installation - Safetylyne