Pedestrians will start flowing across the Neville Bonner Bridge tomorrow, as the new connection between Brisbane’s Queen’s Wharf and South Bank precincts opens.
Named after Australia’s first Indigenous parliamentarian, the pedestrian bridge is projected to accommodate 10,000 pedestrian crossings every day.
Queensland Premier Steven Miles said the state-owned infrastructure was committed and delivered as part of the Queen’s Wharf Brisbane project, which begins its staged opening tomorrow (August 29).
Premier Miles said the cable-stayed bridge was over 320m in length, spanned 45m across the Riverside Expressway and the height of the mast was 77m above sea level.
“The Neville Bonner Bridge is now officially connecting South Bank, the wonderful legacy of World Expo 88 with Queen’s Wharf,” he said.
A 80kg cast bronze sculpture, titled the Bust of Neville Bonner, which was designed by Brisbane sculptor, the late John Elliott, more than 20 years ago, has been relocated to the northern end of the bridge.
“The bust stood proudly in the foyer of the former Neville Bonner Building for many years until it was relocated to Queensland Parliament House during the construction of QWB,” Premier Miles said.
He said the bridge also featured several plaques commemorating the late Neville Bonner, ensuring his legacy lived on.
Premier Miles said with Queen’s Wharf’s opening tomorrow, William St would reopen after seven years, providing access to the broader precinct including the Neville Bonner Bridge, the Brisbane Steps, the Sky Deck and the wider CBD.
He said William St would also serve as the entry point for the Star Grand Ballroom, food, beverage and retail precinct, guests of the Star Grand Hotel and other new hotels which are yet to open.
“Visitors to the precinct will also be able to enjoy some of the magnificent displays of public art by renowned artists that have been commissioned and curated specifically for the precinct.”
Key Facts: Neville Bonner Bridge
- Cable-stayed bridge over 320m in length.
- Height of the mast is 77m above sea level.
- Up to 10,000 pedestrian crossings a day expected.
- Constructed using over 1000 tonnes of structural steel and 900 tonnes temporary steelwork.
- Overall design features a classic arch and cable-stayed bridge structure.
- The plinth that the Bust of Neville Bonner rests is made from the same material as the bridge’s megastructure and has been finished in the same marine surface finish.
- The bridge features continuous shade coverage from South Bank to Queen’s Wharf.
- The bridge spans 45m across the Riverside Expressway.
- Construction took three years (2020 to 2023) and was minimally affected by the major flood event in February 2022.
- The bridge’s final surface protection coatings (three layers) was applied by local company, GT Mac Industries in Hemmant.
- Builder: Fitzgerald Constructions.
- Designer: Grimshaw.
