Work on the new Kangaroo Point underpass is progressing well, providing a critical link for pedestrians and cyclists travelling beneath the iconic Story Bridge from Main Street to Deakin Street.
Read: New Kangaroo Point Green Bridge: A Feat of Engineering
The project involves creating a dedicated pedestrian and bike path running beneath the Story Bridge, linking Main Street to Deakin Street in Kangaroo Point.
Construction crews have carefully cut openings in the bridge’s sidewalls, allowing natural light to stream into the previously inaccessible space underneath. The next phase involves levelling the floor, installing drainage, relocating utility services, and building a separating wall from the adjacent council depot.
When completed in 2024, the underpass will feature separated paths for pedestrians and cyclists, an accessible viewing area, and illustrative wall panels highlighting the rich history of the Story Bridge itself.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner says the underpass represents an important connection between an iconic piece of Brisbane’s heritage and its future green transport network.
“This Story Bridge is not only part of Brisbane’s heritage but its future, so it’s fitting that 95 per cent of the concrete sections removed from the bridge will be recycled and could be given a new life in other parts of the city,” Cr Schrinner stated.
The underpass is a critical link in extending the Kangaroo Point Peninsula’s active transport network to the city centre via the new green bridge. It will provide a safe, level pathway avoiding stairs and roads.
“With the Olympics and Paralympic Games on the horizon there is a need for a convenient ongoing connection that would be able to link walkers and riders heading from The Gabba to the CBD,” Cr Schrinner explained.
Travel projections estimate the Kangaroo Point Green Bridge could generate over 6,100 active transport trips per day by 2036, reducing car trips across the river by up to 84,000 annually. Approximately 2,800 of those green bridge trips are expected to flow through the new underpass each day in 2041.
Read: Iconic Mast Makes Kangaroo Point Green Bridge Brisbane’s Tallest Bridge
For locals and visitors alike, the underpass will offer a unique way to experience Brisbane’s iconic Story Bridge from a new perspective when it opens this year.
Published 19-April-2024
