Did you know that plans for the $190-million Kangaroo Point green bridge include restaurants hovering over the Brisbane River?
Connect Brisbane, led by BESIX Watpac, has won the contract to construct the connection beginning late 2021.
The design for the pedestrian and cycling bridge, to improve connectivity between Kangaroo Point and the CBD and reduce car trips by 84,000 a year, has been described as a “game-changer” by Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner.
Whilst it will be a sustainable travel option for the locals, the Kangaroo Point green bridge will also serve as a tourist spot and a recreational site with a platform to showcase the beautiful city views and above-water cafes, boutique bars and restaurants.
Mr Schrinner added that the location will be the first in Brisbane to have an above-water dining destination and one of the few bridges in the world to have such a special feature. The planned venue will cover 460 metres and will feature a plaza with heaps of food and drink outlets, as well as an event space.
The firm behind the concept has done various green bridges projects across the world, such as the Sheikh Zayed Bridge in the UAE and the Crown Princess Mary’s Bridge in Denmark. BESIX Watpac is responsible for the construction of the Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville.
Plans for the $60 million Breakfast Creek green bridge will also be unveiled in the coming months.
Meanwhile, Architectural Design students at Griffith University had similar ideas and visions for the Kangaroo Point green bridge when they presented their work to a panel of judges following the culmination of a 12-week design challenge. Some of their ideas included several above-water features such as a public lookout, an ampitheatre and spaces for commercial tenancies.
“Everyone had really strong ideas across the board and different ways of expressing it,” said Dominic Powell from Archipelago Architects, who was one of the judges. “They had a strong story to tell about their proposals and an underpinning idea of how their urban connector could be a real legacy for Brisbane.”
