Brisbane’s Kangaroo Point Bridge will be the first in Australia to use drones for water sampling and cameras with infra-red sensors to monitor river levels and flood risk during heavy rain.
The innovations have helped the city’s newest river crossing, set to open on December 15, receive an “excellent” design rating from the Infrastructure Sustainability Council.
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said it was the first Brisbane City Council project to receive an excellent rating.
Lord Mayor Schrinner said the rating considered the bridge’s use of renewable energy, employment of local suppliers and inclusion of innovative technology.
“In a Queensland first, the construction of a river-based tower crane for the duration of the project allowed for above-water assembly which minimised impacts to the river and the community.”
He said the bridge would continue its sustainability legacy once complete, with 75 solar panels to capture enough energy to power the lighting and lifts along and under the bridge deck.
“The Kangaroo Point Bridge has been talked about for more than 100 years and we are excited to be able to officially open the bridge in December.”
Lord Mayor Schrinner said further down the river, the Breakfast Creek Bridge had been recognised as the Project of the Year and winner of the Construction and Engineering category at the national 2024 Project Management Achievement Awards.
He said the Breakfast Creek Bridge averaged more than 2250 crossings a day.
