Goodwill Bridge, Brisbane
Encyclopedia
The Goodwill Bridge is a pedestrian
and cyclist bridge
which spans the Brisbane River
in Brisbane
Australia
, linking the South Bank Parklands
/ Queensland Museum
on the southside, to the Gardens Point
Campus of the Queensland University of Technology
on the northside.
The Goodwill Bridge was opened on 21 October 2001 and takes its name from most the popular entry in a public naming competition. The bridge does not carry any vehicular traffic — it is shared by pedestrians, cyclists and inline skaters
.
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 metres (335 ft) in length, 10 metres (30 ft) wide and 15 metres (49 ft) high and weighs 360 tonnes (397 t).
and took three months to construct. On completion barges floated the arch upstream at low tide it was floated under the Captain Cook Bridge
and 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.
Controversy arose during the construction of the bridge over its growing cost, and a subsequent budgetary blow-out which resulted in the use of $
20.3 million in government funds. The bridge was scheduled to be opened by Queen Elizabeth II
during her visit for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
summit to be held in Brisbane, but after the postponement of that meeting and change of venue to Coolum on the Sunshine Coast
in the wake of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001
, the bridge was instead opened by Queensland Premier
, Peter Beattie
.
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 bridge is also popular amongst those who like to maintain fitness, providing a link for a continuous run. Traceurs also use the bridge not only to cross, but in strength training as a distance to travel in the Quadrupedel movement (which provides an arm and leg workout), and also refines coordination skills.
The bridge innovatively includes several outspanning seating bays which allow for contemplation of the river and relaxation.
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.
Pedestrian
A pedestrian is a person traveling on foot, whether walking or running. In some communities, those traveling using roller skates or skateboards are also considered to be pedestrians. In modern times, the term mostly refers to someone walking on a road or footpath, but this was not the case...
and cyclist bridge
Bridge
A bridge is a structure built to span physical obstacles such as a body of water, valley, or road, for the purpose of providing passage over the obstacle...
which spans the Brisbane River
Brisbane River
The Brisbane River is the longest river in south east Queensland, Australia, and flows through the city of Brisbane, before emptying into Moreton Bay. John Oxley was the first European to explore the river who named it after the Governor of New South Wales, Thomas Brisbane in 1823...
in Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, linking the South Bank Parklands
South Bank Parklands, Brisbane
The South Bank Parklands are located at South Bank in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. The parkland, on the transformed site of Brisbane's World Expo 88, was officially opened to the public on 20 June 1992.-Overview:...
/ Queensland Museum
Queensland Museum
The Queensland Museum is the state museum of Queensland. The museum currently operates four separate campuses; at South Brisbane, Ipswich, Toowoomba and Townsville.The museum is funded by the State Government of Queensland.-History:...
on the southside, to the Gardens Point
Gardens Point, Brisbane
Gardens Point is a point on the northern bank of the Brisbane River. The Brisbane CBD extends northwards of the point.Located here are Queensland's Parliament House, the Gardens Point campus of the Queensland University of Technology, the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens and Queensland's Old...
Campus of the Queensland University of Technology
Queensland University of Technology
Queensland University of Technology is an Australian university with an applied emphasis in courses and research. Based in Brisbane, it has 40,000 students, including 6,000 international students, over 4,000 staff members, and an annual budget of more than A$750 million.QUT is marketed as "A...
on the northside.
The Goodwill Bridge was opened on 21 October 2001 and takes its name from most the popular entry in a public naming competition. The bridge does not carry any vehicular traffic — it is shared by pedestrians, cyclists and inline skaters
Inline skating
Inline skating is a recreational sport practiced widely internationally. Inline skates typically have 2 to 5 polyurethane wheels, arranged in a single line. The in-line design allows for greater speed than roller skates and better maneuverability...
.
Structure
Two main components of The Goodwill Bridge are the pavilion and the arch. The pavilion is located in the middle of the Brisbane RiverBrisbane River
The Brisbane River is the longest river in south east Queensland, Australia, and flows through the city of Brisbane, before emptying into Moreton Bay. John Oxley was the first European to explore the river who named it after the Governor of New South Wales, Thomas Brisbane in 1823...
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 metres (335 ft) in length, 10 metres (30 ft) wide and 15 metres (49 ft) high and weighs 360 tonnes (397 t).
Specifications
- Width: 6.5 metres (21.3 ft)
- Height: Clearance for River Vessels 11.4 metre (37.4 ft) to 12.7 metre (41.7 ft) from high water level to the bridge deck (same height as Victoria and Captain Cook bridges)
- Arch: 102 metres (335 ft) in length, 10 metres (30 ft) wide and 15 metres (49 ft) 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 ArupOve ArupSir Ove Nyquist Arup, CBE, MICE, MIStructE known as Ove Arup, was a leading Anglo-Danish engineer and generally considered to be one of the foremost architectural structural engineers of his time...
and Partners - Construction Company: John Holland Pty Ltd
- Officially Opened: The Premier of QueenslandPremiers of QueenslandBefore the 1890s, there was no developed party system in Queensland. Political affiliation labels before that time indicate a general tendency only. Before the end of the first decade of the twentieth century, political parties were more akin to parliamentary factions, and were fluid, informal and...
, The Honourable Peter BeattiePeter BeattiePeter Douglas Beattie , Australian politician, was the 36th Premier of the Australian state of Queensland for nine years and leader of the Australian Labor Party in that state for eleven and a half years...
, officially opened The Goodwill Bridge on 21 October 2001. - Total length: 450 metres (1,476 ft)
- Bridge Foundations: The bridge's 45 foundation piles range in diameter from 500 millimeters (19.7 in) to 1500 millimeters (59 in) and are reinforced with 350-grade steel and 60 cubic metres (78.5 yd³) of concrete.
- Central Arch span: 102 metres (335 ft)
History
The structure was built downstream at HemmantHemmant, Queensland
Hemmant is a suburb of Brisbane, Australia. It is 11 km east of the CBD located on the Brisbane River.Hemmant was originally known as "Doughboy Creek"-Transport:Hemmant railway station provides access to regular Citytrain services to Brisbane and Cleveland....
and took three months to construct. On completion barges floated the arch upstream at low tide it was floated under the Captain Cook Bridge
Captain Cook Bridge, Brisbane
The Captain Cook Bridge is a motorway bridge over the Brisbane River in Brisbane, Australia. It was built exclusively for vehicular traffic and was opened in 1972. The bridge crosses at the South Brisbane Reach of the river, linking Gardens Point to Woolloongabba.Captain Cook Bridge actually...
and 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.
Controversy arose during the construction of the bridge over its growing cost, and a subsequent budgetary blow-out which resulted in the use of $
Australian dollar
The Australian dollar is the currency of the Commonwealth of Australia, including Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, and Norfolk Island, as well as the independent Pacific Island states of Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu...
20.3 million in government funds. The bridge was scheduled to be opened by Queen Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
during her visit for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, , is a biennial summit meeting of the heads of government from all Commonwealth nations. Every two years the meeting is held in a different member state, and is chaired by that nation's respective Prime Minister or President, who becomes the...
summit to be held in Brisbane, but after the postponement of that meeting and change of venue to Coolum on the Sunshine Coast
Sunshine Coast, Queensland
The Sunshine Coast is an urban area in South East Queensland, north of the state capital of Brisbane on the Pacific Ocean coastline. Although it does not have a central business district, by population it ranks as the 10th largest metropolis in Australia and the third largest in...
in the wake of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001
September 11, 2001 attacks
The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks (also referred to as September 11, September 11th or 9/119/11 is pronounced "nine eleven". The slash is not part of the pronunciation...
, the bridge was instead opened by Queensland Premier
Premiers of Queensland
Before the 1890s, there was no developed party system in Queensland. Political affiliation labels before that time indicate a general tendency only. Before the end of the first decade of the twentieth century, political parties were more akin to parliamentary factions, and were fluid, informal and...
, Peter Beattie
Peter Beattie
Peter Douglas Beattie , Australian politician, was the 36th Premier of the Australian state of Queensland for nine years and leader of the Australian Labor Party in that state for eleven and a half years...
.
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 ParklandsSouth Bank Parklands, Brisbane
The South Bank Parklands are located at South Bank in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. The parkland, on the transformed site of Brisbane's World Expo 88, was officially opened to the public on 20 June 1992.-Overview:...
and the CBD via the Queensland University of Technology
Queensland University of Technology
Queensland University of Technology is an Australian university with an applied emphasis in courses and research. Based in Brisbane, it has 40,000 students, including 6,000 international students, over 4,000 staff members, and an annual budget of more than A$750 million.QUT is marketed as "A...
campus, the bridge provides a vital link for pedestrians and cyclists, especially since the closest train station to QUT is in South Bank.
The bridge is also popular amongst those who like to maintain fitness, providing a link for a continuous run. Traceurs also use the bridge not only to cross, but in strength training as a distance to travel in the Quadrupedel movement (which provides an arm and leg workout), and also refines coordination skills.
The bridge innovatively includes several outspanning seating bays which allow for contemplation of the river and relaxation.
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.