Goodwill Bridge, Brisbane
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The Goodwill Bridge is a pedestrian and cyclist bridge connecting the Southbank Parklands with the CBD in Brisbane, Australia. It is the fourth crossing of the Brisbane River, in Australia. It crosses the South Brisbane Reach of the river, linking Gardens Point to Woolloongabba. The Queensland Maritime Museum it at its south end and the Gardens Point Campus of the Queensland University of Technology is at its northern end.
It was opened on October 21, 2001. It does not carry any vehicular traffic. It is shared by pedestrians, cyclists and roller bladers. It connects the Southbank Parklands to the city. It takes its name from the Goodwill Games held in Brisbane at the time.
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Structure
Two main components of The Goodwill Bridge are the pavilion and the arch. The pavilion is located in the middle of the Brisbane River between the arch and the city approach. It is a fundamental component of the pedestrian and cycle bridge and supports one end of the arch. The arch is 102 m in length, 10 m wide and 15 m high and weighs 360 tonnes.
Specifications
- Width: 6.5m
- Height: Clearance for River Vessels 11.4m to 12.7m from high water level to the bridge deck (same height as Victoria and Captain Cook bridges)
- Arch: 102m in length, 10m wide and 15m high
- Bridge Deck: The bridge deck wearing surface is concrete with a broom finish to provide a safe foothold. It incorporates coloured concrete and applied finish bandings which signify areas where caution is required.
- Security: Six closed circuit TV cameras are spread across the bridge and are monitored from the South Bank Security Control Room.
- Architects: Cox Rayner
- Design preparation: Ove Arup and Partners
- Construction Company: John Holland Pty Ltd
- Officially Opened: The Premier of Queensland, The Honourable Peter Beattie, officially opened The Goodwill Bridge on 21 October 2001.
- Total length: 450m
- Bridge Foundations: The bridge's 45 foundation piles range in diameter from 500mm to 1500mm and are reinforced with 350-grade steel and 60 cubic metres of concrete.
- Central Arch span: 102m
History
The structure was built off site at Hemmant and took three months to construct. On completion two barges floated the arch upstream. At low tide it was floated under the Captain Cook Bridge then lifted as a single structure into its final resting position by two heavy lift towers. Four strategically positioned platforms and the pavilion-viewing platform provide rest points for pedestrians and cyclists. With exception of cables, all materials utilised in the construction of the arch and the pavilions were sourced from local suppliers.
During the bridge's construction, controversy emerged over its growing cost, and a subsequent budgetary blow-out which resulted in the use of AU$23 million of government funds in its construction. The bridge was scheduled to be opened by Queen Elizabeth II during her visit for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting summitt to be held in Brisbane, but due to the postponement of the summitt in the wake of the September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attacks, the bridge had instead to be opened by the Premier.
Usage
Over 40,000 pedestrians and cyclists utilise the bridge each week and it is clearly established as a major access point between South Bank and the city. Spanning the Brisbane River between the southern end of South Bank and the CBD via the Queensland University of Technology campus, the bridge provides a vital link for pedestrians and cyclists, especially since the closest train station to QUT is in South Bank.
The architectural design has received mixed reviews; many people see it as a work of art, while others consider it a monstrosity. This is likely due to its unconventional form; for instance, the bridge is entirely asymmetrical, and does not appear to follow any particular scheme with regards to placement of features.
External links
- Photos of and from the Goodwill Bridge (http://www.minefields.org/v2/images/photo_album/bridge/)