The ‘Connect Brisbane’ team, led by BESIX Watpac, has been awarded the design and construction of the Kangaroo Point Green Bridge, in Brisbane, Australia. The announcement was made on Tuesday 29 June by Brisbane Mayor, Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner.
The contract includes the construction of a 460-metre-long cable-stayed pedestrian bridge, one of the longest of its kind in the world. Described as a "game-changer" for the city by Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, it will be a key landmark for Brisbane.
Pierre Sironval, Deputy CEO of BESIX Group: “BESIX Group is extremely proud to contribute to such an iconic infrastructure as the Kangaroo Point Green Bridge. Together with our partners, whom I thank for the quality of their work over the last few months, we will deliver to the city of Brisbane and its people a first-class infrastructure that is both elegant, impressive and extremely useful for mobility. The Kangaroo Point Green Bridge will also be a symbol of BESIX Watpac's growth in Australia and the successful combination of its expertise with that of BESIX Group in engineering and construction. Finally, I wholeheartedly thank our client, the City of Brisbane, where BESIX Watpac has been based since its establishment, for its confidence in our company.”
The bridge will provide an efficient mobility solution for pedestrians and cyclists, directly connecting Kangaroo Point to Brisbane CBD. The walkways will be shaded by solar panels installed along the length of the bridge. The infrastructure will also include public amenities, including a restaurant over the water and viewing platforms.
Jean-Pol Bouharmont, CEO of BESIX Watpac: “BESIX Watpac’s focus has been to bring the best of BESIX global group’s engineering-led, multidisciplinary expertise together with our nearly 40 years of proud local experience. The Kangaroo Point Green Bridge is a symbol of the strength and capability of BESIX Watpac and we are all incredibly proud of what we are about to deliver for the Brisbane City Council and the people of Brisbane.”
Drew Brockhurst, GM of BESIX Watpac QLD: “Our team, under Bram Gruwez’s leadership, will immediately start working collaboratively with City Council representatives. True to its social commitments, BESIX Watpac will maximise the involvement of local partners, subcontractors and suppliers. 40% of suppliers will be from the Brisbane local government area and over 90% from South East Queensland. In terms of employment, the company has also committed to ensuring a minimum of 5% indigenous participation.”
Work on the site will commence in late 2021, with delivery planned for the second half of 2023. Detailed planning is currently underway to minimise disruption on both sides of the river during the construction phases.