Designs for a huge pedestrian and cyclist bridge in Queensland have been released, revealing how the new structure will connect the new Cross River Rail Boggo Road station with other important areas.
The bridge, which will be nearly half a kilometre long, will connect the station with the busway, Park Road train station, the Boggo Road health, science and education precinct, the new PA Hospital precinct and the new high school at Dutton Park.
Queensland Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, said delivering public infrastructure was an important part of the state’s Economic Recovery Plan.
“We’re building Cross River Rail – the largest infrastructure project in Queensland’s history – not just to create jobs, but to make it easier for locals to travel throughout the southeast,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“Linking our public transport system with the hospital, new high school and the new science and education precinct will make it easier for many locals to get to work and access essential services.”
Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Mark Bailey, said the 480m-long bridge would link the new and existing stations with the Princess Alexandra Hospital and the PAH South East Busway platforms to the east.
“This bridge will be a unifier for the local community as it soars over the railway junction and will make active travel safer, quicker and easier for local workers, residents and students,” Mr Bailey said.
“It will provide faster and more convenient walking and cycling connections, form an extension of the local cycle network and improve connectivity to the PA Hospital bus station and the new underground Boggo Road rail station.
“Crossing over both freight and passenger train lines, the bridge will be a feat of engineering and a standout signature element for an area that currently divides the community.”
Member for Greenslopes, Joe Kelly, said the new bridge, which included lifts on both sides, dedicated cycle and pedestrian paths, seating, shade and rest stops, was accessible and designed to meet safety requirements to pass over the rail corridor.
“The bridge will vastly improve the active transport connectivity for Southside Rd between the UQ campus via the Eleanor Schonell Bridge and the V1 Veloway and Stones Corner,” Mr Kelly said.
“It is also yet to be named, which provides us with an opportunity for the public to contribute ideas.
“We’re calling on the local community to give us their suggestions – the bridge could be named after somebody local, who has a track record of service and creating community connections, even someone linked to health, science and education or take a name that honours local First Nations culture.
“If you have a great suggestion, jump on the Cross River Rail website to complete the form.”
Mr Bailey said the new bridge was another example of how Cross River Rail would transform travel across South East Queensland.
“Cross River Rail is a truly transformational project – injecting $4 million a day into the economy by supporting jobs and industries across the state,” Mr Bailey said.
“2021 was full of massive milestones for the project as we completed the year of tunnelling, and we’re continuing that momentum into 2022.
“This bridge is part of Cross River Rail works at Boggo Road, along with one of the project’s four new underground stations.
“The bridge and the new station it connects to will see Boggo Road become South East Queensland’s second busiest transport interchange, with over 22,000 commuters using the new station each weekday by 2036.
“It will also stimulate the growth of what is already a world class health, science and education precinct, where thousands of people already work and where thousands of jobs will be created in the future.”
Mr Bailey said construction on the new bridge would commence from March 2022 and was expected to take around 18 months depending on weather conditions.
To find out more information about the new bridge, including how to make a name suggestion, visit Cross River Rail’s website here.
